ROMEO AND JULIET. 



Green Room Sdition 



Romeo and Juliet 

By 

William Shakespeare 



Illustrated by photographs from life of Maude Adams, 
and oth^r members of her company, by Byron and 
Sarony, and also by illtistrations by Andriolli ^ «^ 




New York and Boston ^ ^ 

H. M. Caldwell Company 
^ S ,^ ^ ,^ Publishers 



L- 



38524 

^ * t>pa^y of cJ^^Jil^ 

"two CopiFs Recfived 

AUG 20 1900 

Copyright entry 

10^ t(^ S^ 



SECOND copy. 

Delivered to 

OROLR DIVISION, 

SEP 6 1900 






Copyright, i88y. 
By Samuel E. Cassino. 

Copyright, igoo. 
By H. M. Caldwell Co. 



74121 



Romeo and Juliet 



Facsimile 



OF THE 



ORIGINAL PROGRAMME 



THE CAST 

As -produced at the Empire 'Theatre^ New Tork^ May 8th, iSgg. 

Miss Maude Adams, in a special production of Shakespeare's 
tragedy of " Romeo and Juliet," with William Faversham as 
Romeo, and James K. Hackett as Mercutio. (By arrangement 
with Daniel Frohman.) 



DRAMATIS PERSONS. 

EscALUs, prince of Verona 

Paris, a young nobleman, kinsman to the 

prince 
Montague ) heads of two houses at J 
Capulet \ variance with each other [ 
An Old Man, of the Capulet family 
Romeo, son to Montague 
Mercutio, kinsman to the prince, and 

friend to Romeo 
Benvolio, nephew to Montague, and 

friend to Romeo 

Tybalt, nephew to Lady Capulet 

Friar Laurence, a Franciscan 

Friar John, of the same order 

Balthazar, servant to Romeo 

Sampson ] ^ ^ /- i ^ 

> servants to Capulet 
Gregory ) 

Peter, servant to Juliet's nurse 

Abraham, servant to Montague 

An Apothecary 



George Fawcett 

Orrin Johnson 

W. H. Crompton 

Eugene Jepson 

Frederick Spencer 

William Faversham 

James K. Hackett 



Jos. Francoeur 

Campbell Gollan 

W. H. Thompson 

Geo. Osborne, Jr. 

G. H. Howard 

Wallace Jackson 

Thomas Valentine 

R. Peyton Carter 

George Irving 

Norman Campbell 



Lady Capulet, wife to Capulet • Miss Helen Morgan 

Juliet, daughter to Capulet Miss Maude Adams 

Nurse to Juliet Mrs. W. G. Jones 

Pages to Paris, Mercutio, Capulet, etc. ; Citizens of 

Verona, Kinsfolk of both houses. Maskers, Guards, Musicians 

and Attendants. 



SCENE — Verona, Mantua. 

The FIRST ACT Scene i 

Scene 2 

Scene 3 

Scene 4 

The SECOND ACT Scene i 

Scene 2 
Scene 3 
rbe THIRD ACT Scene i 
Scene 2 
Scene 3 
The FOURTH ACT Scene i 

Scene 2 
Scene 3 
The FIFTH ACT Scene i 
Scene 2 
Scene 3 



PERIOD— 14th Century. 

Verona. A public place. 
Before Capulet's house. 
Hall in Capulet's house. 
Capulet's garden. 
Friar Laurence's cell. 
A street. 

Capulet's garden. 
Friar Laurence's cell. 
A street. 

Friar Laurence's cell. 
Juliet's Chamber. 
Friar Laurence's cell. 
Juliet's Chamber. 
Mantua. A street. 
Verona. A churchyard. 
Tomb of the Capulets. 



Produced under the stage direction of William Seymour. 



DKAMATIS PEESON^. 



EscALUS, prince of Verona. 
Paris, a young nobleman, kinsman 
to the prince. 

■J heads of two houses at 
Montague, ( . .,. „ . 

> variance with each 
Capulet, \ ., 

J other. 

An old man of the Capulet family. 
Romeo, son to Montague. 
Mercutio, kinsman to the prince, 

and friend to Romeo. 
Benvolio, nephew to Montague, 

and friend to Romeo. 
Tybalt, nephew to Lady Capulet. 
Friar Laurence, 
Friar John, 

Balthasar, servant to Romeo. 
Sajipson, 
Gregory. 



Franciscans. 



servants to Capulet. 



Peter, servant to Juliet's nurse. 
Abram, servant to Montague. 
An Apothecary. 
Three Musicians. 

Page to Paris; another Page; an 
Officer. 

Lady Montague, wife to Montague. 
Lady Capulet, wife to Capulet. 
Juliet, daughter to Capulet. 
Nurse to Juliet. 

Citizens of Verona; Kinsfolk of both 
houses; Maskers, Guards, "Watch- 
men, and Attendants. 

Chorus. 

Scene : Verona ; Mantua. 



PROLOGUE. 



Two households, both alike in dignity, 

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, 
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny. 

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. 
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes 

A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life, 
Whose misadventur'd piteous overthrows 

Doth with their death bury their parents' strife. 
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love. 

And the continuance of their parents' rage. 
Which, but their children's end, nought could remove, 

Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage ; 
The which if you with patient ears attend. 
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 



ACT I. 

Scene I. Verona. A Public Place. 

Enter Sampson and Gregory, of the house of Capidet, 
with sivords and bucklers. 

Sampson. Gregory, on my word, we'll not carry coals. 

Gregory. No, for then we should be colliers. 

Sampson. I mean, an we be in choler, we'll draw. 

Gregory. Ay, while you live, draw your neck out o' 
the collar. 

Sam.pson. I strike quickly, being moved. 

Gregory. But thou art not quickly moved to strike. 

Sampson. A dog of the house of Montague moves me. 

Gregory. To move is to stir, and to be valiant is to 
stand ; therefore, if thou art moved, thou runn'st away. 

Sampson. A dog of that house shall move me to stand; 
I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague's. 

Gregory. That shows thee a weak slave ; for the weak- 
est goes to the wall. 

Sampson. True; and therefore women, being the weaker 
vessels, are ever thrust to the wall : therefore I will push 

9 



10 BOMEO AND JULIET. 

Montague's men from the wall, and thrust his maids to 
the wall. 

Gregory. The quarrel is between our masters and us 
their men. 

Sampson. 'Tis all one, I will show myself a tyrant ; 
when I have fought with the men, I will be cruel with 
the maids, and cut oif their heads. 

Gregory. Draw thy tool ; here comes two of the house 
of the Montagues. 

Sampson. My naked weapon is out; quarrel, I will 
back thee. 

Gregory. How ? turn thy back and run ? 

Sampson. Fear me not. 

Gregory. No, marry ; I fear thee ! 

Sampson. Let us take the law of our sides ; let them 
begin. 

Gregory. T will frown as I pass by, and let them take 
it as they list. 

Sampson. Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb 
at them ; which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it. 

Enter Abram and Balthasak. 

Abram. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir ? 
Sampson. I do bite my thumb, sir. 
Abram. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir ? 
Sampson. [Aside to Gregory"] Is the law of our side if 
I say ay ? 



EOMEO AND JULIET. H 

Gregory. No. 

Sampson. No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, 
but I bite my thumb, sir. 

Gregory. Do you quarrel, sir ? 

Abram. Quarrel, sir ! no, sir. 

Sampson. If you do, sir, I am for you ; I serve as good 
a man as you. 

Abram. No better. 

Sampson. Well, sir. 

Gregory. [^Aside to Sampson^ Say "better;" here comes 
one of my master's kinsmen. 

Sampson. Yes, better, sir. 

Abram. You lie. 

Sampson. Draw, if you be men. — Gregory, remember 
thy swashing blow. ■ \_They fight. 

Enter Benvolio. 

BenvoUo. Part, fools ! 
Put up your swords ; you know not what you do. 

[Beats down their swords. 

Enter Tybalt. 

Tybalt. What, art thou drawn among these heartless 
hinds ? 
Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death. 

Benvolio. I do but keep the peace ; put up thy sword, 
Or manage it to part these men with me. 



12 BOjIEO and JULIET. 

Tybalt. What, drawn, and talk of peace ! I hate the 
"word, 
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee ; 
Have at thee, coward ! \_Tliey fight. 

Enter several of both houses, who join the fray; then 
enter Citizens, with clubs. 

First Citizen. Clubs, bills, and partisans ! strike ! beat 
them down ! 
Down with the Capulets ! down with the Montagues ! 

Enter Capulet in his gotvn, and Lady Capulet. 

Capulet. What noise is this ? Give nie my long 

sword, ho ! 
Lady Caindet. A crutch, a crutch ! why call you for 

a sword ? 
Caindet. My sword, I say ! Old Montague is come. 
And flourishes his blade in spite of me. 

Enter Montague and Lady Montague. 

2Iontacjue. Thou villain Capulet! — Hold me not, le^. 

me go. 
Lady Montague. Thou shalt not stir a foot to seek a 

foe. 

Enter Prince, tvith his train. 

Prince. Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, 
Profaners of this neighbor-stained steel, — 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 13 

Will they not hear ? What, ho ! you men, you beasts, 

That quench the fire of your pernicious rage 

With purple fountains issuing from your veins, 

On pain of torture, from those bloody hands 

Throw your mistemper'd weapons to the ground, 

And hear the sentence of your moved prince. — 

Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word. 

By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, 

Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets, 

And made Verona's ancient citizens 

Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments. 

To wield old partisans, in hands as old, 

Canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd hate. 

If ever you disturb our streets again. 

Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. 

For this time, all the rest depart away : 

You, Capulet, shall go along with me ; 

And, Montague, come you this afternoon, 

To know our further pleasure in this case, 

To old Freetown, our common judgment-place. 

Once more, on pain of death, all men depart. 

^Exeunt all but Montague, Lady 3Iontague, and Benvolio. 

Montague. Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach ? 
Speak, nephew, were you by when it began ? 

Benvolio. Here were the servants of your adversary 
And yours close fighting ere I did approach. 
I drew to part them : in the instant came 



14- BOMEO AND JULIET. 

The fiery Tybalt, with his sword prepar'd ; 
Which, as he breath'd defiance to my ears, 
He swung about his head and cut the winds, 
Who, nothing hurt withal, hiss'd him in scorn. 
While we were interchanging thrusts and blows. 
Came more and more, and fought on part and part. 
Till the prince came, who parted either part. 

Lady Montague. 0, where is Eomeo ? saw you him 
to-day ? 
Right glad I am he was not at this fray. 

Benvolio. Madam, an hour before the worshipp'd sun 
Peer'd forth the golden window of the east, 
A troubled mind drave me to walk abroad ; 
Where, underneath the grove of sycamore 
That westward rooteth from the city's side. 
So early walking did I see your son. 
Towards him I made, but he was ware of me 
And stole into the covert of the wood ; 
I, measuring his affections by my own. 
Which then most sought where most might not be found, 
Being one too many by my weary self, 
Pursued my humor not pursuing his. 
And gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me. 

Montague. Many a morning hath he there been seen 
With tears augmenting the fresh morning's dew, 
Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs ; 
But all so soon as the all-cheering sun 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 15 

Should in the farthest east begin to draw 
The shady curtains from Aurora's bea, 
Away from light steals home my heavy son, 
And private in his chamber pens himself, 
Shuts up his window, locks fair daylight out, 
And makes himself an ar|;ificial night. 
Black and portentous must this humor prove. 
Unless good counsel may the cause remove. 

Benvolio. My noble uncle, do you know the cause ? 

Montague. I neither know it nor can learn of him. 

Benvolio. Have you importun'd him by any means ? 

Montague. Both by myself and many other friends ; 
But he, his own affections' counsellor. 
Is to himself — I will not say how true — 
But to himself so secret and sd close, 
So far from sounding and discovery. 
As is the bud bit with an envious worm, 
Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air, 
Or dedicate his beauty to the sun. 
Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow 
We would as willingly give cure as know. 

Enter Eomeo. 

Benvolio. See, where he comes : so please you, step 
aside ; 
I'll know his grievance, or be much deniea. 



15' BOMEO AND JULIET. 

Montague. I would tliou wert so happy by tliy stay, 
To hear true slirif t. — Come, madam, let's away. 

[^Exeunt Montague and Lady. 

Benvolio. Good morrow, cousin. 

Romeo. Is the day so young ? 

Benvolio. But new struck nine. 

Romeo. Ay me ! sad hours seem long. 

Was that my father that went hence so fast ? 

Benvolio. It was. What sadness lengthens Borneo's 
hours ? 

Romeo. Not having that which, having, makes them 
short. 

Benvolio. In love ? 

Romeo. Out — 

Benvolio. Of love ? 

Romeo. Out of her favor, where I am in love. 

Benvolio. Alas, that love, so gentle in his view, 
Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof ! 

Romeo. Alas, that love, whose view is muffled still, 
Should without eyes see pathways to his will ! 
Where si: all we dine ? — O me ! what fray was here ? 
Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all. 
Here's much to do with hate, but more with love. 
Why, then, brawling love ! loving hate ! 
O anything, of nothing first created ! 
heavy lightness ! serious vanity ! 
IMisshapen chaos of well-seeming forms ' 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 17 

Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health ! 
Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is ! 
This love feel I, that feel no love in this. 
Dost thou not laugh ? 

Benvolw, No, coz, I rather weep. 

Romeo. Good heart, at what ? 

Benvolio. At thy good heart's oppression. 

Romeo. Why, such is love's transgression. 
Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast, 
Which thou wilt propagate, to have it prest 
With more of thine ; this love that thou hast shown 
Doth add more grief to too much of mine own. 
Love is a smoke rais'd with the fume of sighs : 
Being purg'd, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes ; 
Being vex'd, a sea nourish'd with lovers' tears ; 
What is it else ? a madness most discreet, 
A choking gall, and a preserving sweet. 
Farewell, my coz. 

Benvolio. Soft ! I will go along ; 

An if you leave me so, you do me wrong. 

Romeo. Tut, I have lost myself ; I am not here : 
This is not Romeo, he's some other where. 

Benvolio. Tell me in sadness who is that you love. 

Romeo. What, shall I groan and tell thee ? 

Benvolio. Groan ! why, no ; 

But sadly tell me who. 

Romeo. Bid a sick man in sadness make his will; 



18 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Ah, word ill urg'd to one that is so ill ! 
In sadness, cousin, I do love a woman. 

Benvolio. I aini'd so near when I suppos'd you lov'd. 

Romeo. A right good mark-man ! And she's fair I love. 

Benvolio. A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit. 

Romeo. Well, in that hit you miss : she'll not be hit 
With Cupid's arrow ; she hath Dian's wit. 
And, in strong proof of chastity well arm'd, 
From love's weak childish bow she lives unharm'd. 
She will not stay the siege of loving terms. 
Nor bide the encounter of assailing eyes, 
Nor ope her lap to saint-seducing gold ; 
0, she is rich in beauty ! only poor 
That, when she dies, with beauty dies her store. 

Benvolio. Then she hath sworn that she will still live 
chaste ? 

Romeo. She hath, and in that sparing makes huge 
waste ; 
For beauty starv'd with her severity 
Cuts beauty off from all prosperity. 
She is too fair, too wise, wisely too fair, 
To merit bliss by making me despair ; 
She hath forsworn to love, and in that vow 
Do I live dead that live to tell it now. 

Benvolio. Be rul'd by me, forget to think of her. 

Romeo. 0, teach me how I should forget to think. 

Benvolio. By giving liberty unto thine eyes ; 
Examine other beauties. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. ig 

Romeo. 'Tis the way 

To call hers, exquisite, in question more. 
These happy masks that kiss fair ladies' brows, 
Being black, put us in mind they hide the fair; 
He that is strucken blind cannot forget 
The precious treasure of his eyesight lost. 
Show me a mistress that is passing fair. 
What doth her beauty serve but as a note 
Where I may read who pass'd that passing fair ? 
Farewell ; thou canst not teach me to forget. 

Benvolio. I'll pay that doctrine, or else die in debt. 

[Exeunt^ 

Scene II. A Street. 
Enter Capulet, Paris, and Servant. 

Capulet. But Montague is bound as well as I, 
In penalty alike ; and 'tis not hard, I think, 
For men so old as we to keep the peace. 

Paris. Of honorable reckoning are you both ; 
And pity 'tis you liv'd at odds so long. 
But now, my lord, what say you to my suit ? 

Capulet. But saying o'er what I have said before, 
^ly child is yet a stranger in the world ; 
She hath not seen the change of fourteen years : 
Let two more summers wither in their pride, 
Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride. 



20 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Paris. Younger than she are happy mothers made. 

Capidet. And too soon marr'd are those so early made. 
The earth has swallow'd all my hopes but she, 
She is the hopeful lady of my earth : 
But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart, 
My will to her consent is but a part ; 
An she agree, within her scope of choice 
Lies my consent and fair according voice. 
This night I hold an old accustom'd feast, 
Whereto I have invited many a guest, 
Such as I love ; and you, among the store, 
One more, most welcome, makes my number more. 
At my poor house look to behold this night 
Earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light : 
Such comfort as do lusty young men feel 
When well-apparell'd April on the heel 
Of limping winter treads, even such delight 
Among fresh female buds shall you this night 
Inherit at my house ; hear all, all see. 
And like her most whose merit most shall be : 
Which on more view of many, mine being one 
May stand in number, though in reckoning none. 
Come, go with me. — \_To servant, giving a 2^(^P&i^'\ GrO, 

sirrah, trudge about 
Through fair VeroUa ; find those persons out, 
Whose names are Avritten there, and to them say. 
My house and welcome on their pleasure stay. 

\_Exeunt Caindet and Paris. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 21 

Servant. Find them out whose names are written here ! 
It is written that the shoemaker shouhl meddle with his 
yard and the tailor with his last, the fisher with his 
pencil and the painter with his nets ; but I am sent to 
find those persons whose names are here writ, and can 
never find what names the writing person hath here Avrit. 
I must to the learned. — In good time. 

Enter Benvolio and Romeo. 
Benvol'io. Tut, man, one fire burns out another's burn- 

One pain is lessen'd by another's anguish ; 
Turn giddy, and be holp by backward turning ; 

One desperate grief cures with another's languish : 
Take thou some new infection to thy eye. 
And the rank poison of the old will die. 

Romeo. Your plantain-leaf is excellent for that. 

Benvolio. For what, I pray thee ? 

Romeo. For your broken shin. 

Benvolio. Why, Romeo, art thou mad ? 

Romeo. ISTot mad, but bound more than a madman is ; 
Shut up in prison, kept without my food, 
Whipp'd and tormented and — Good-den, good fellow. 

Servant. God gi' good-den. — I pray, sir, can you read? 

Romeo. Ay, mine own fortune in my misery. 

Servant. Perhaps you have learned it without book ; 
but, I pray, can you read anything you see ? 



22 EOMEO AND JULIET. 

Borneo. Ay, if I know the letters and the language. 

Servant. Ye say honestly ; rest you merry ! 

Romeo. Stay, fellow ; I can read. 

[Reads] ' Sipiior Martino and his wife and daughter; 
County Anselme and his beauteous sisters ; the lady widow 
of Vitruvio ; Slgnior Placentio and his lovely nieces ; 
Mercutio and his brother Valentine ; mine uncle Capulet, 
his wife, and daughters ; my fair niece Rosaline ; Livia ; 
Signior Valentio and his cousin Tybalt; Lucio and the 
lively Helena.' 
A fair assembly ; whither should they come ? 

Servant. Up. 

Romeo. Whither ? 

Servant. To supper ; to our house. 

Romeo. Whose house ? 

Servant. My master's. 

Romeo. Indeed, I should have ask'd you that before. 

Servant. Now I'll tell you without asking : my master 
is the great rich Capulet; and if you be not of the house 
of Montagues, I pray, come and crush a cup of wine. 
Rest you merry ! \_Exit. 

Benvolio. At this same ancient feast of Capulet's 
Sups the fair Rosaline, whom thou so lov'st, 
With all the admired beauties of Verona. 
Go thither, and with unattainted eye 
Compare her face with some that I shall show. 
And I will make thee think thy swan a crow. 



EOMEO AND JULIET. 23 

Borneo. When the devout religion of mine eye 

Maintains such falsehood, then turn tears to fires ; 
And these, who often drown'd could never die, 

Transparent heretics, be burnt for liars ! 
One fairer than my love ! the all-seeing sun 
Ne'er saw her match since first the world begun. 

Benvolio. Tut ! you saw her fair, none else being by, 
Herself pois'd with herself in either eye ; 
But in that crystal scales let there be weigh'd 
Your lady's love against some other maid 
That I will show you shining at this feast. 
And she shall scant show well that now shows best. 

Romeo. I'll go along, no such sight to be shown. 
But to rejoice in splendor of mine own. \Exeunt. 

Scene III. A Boom in Cajpulefs House. 
Enter Lady Capulet and Kurse. 

Lady Capulet. Kurse, where's my daughter ? call her 
forth to me. 

Nurse. Now, by my maidenhead at twelve year old, 
I bade her come. — What, lamb ! what, lady -bird ! — 
God forbid ! —Where's this girl ?— What, Juliet ! 

Enter Juliet. 

Juliet. How now ! who calls ? 

Ntirse. Your mother. 



24 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Juliet. Madam, I am here. 

What is your will ? 

Lad}/ Ccqyulet. This is the matter: — Nurse, give leave 
awhile, 
We must talk in secret. — Nurse, come back again ; 
T have remember'd me, thou's hear our counsel. 
Thou know'st my daughter's of a pretty age. 

Nurse. Faith, I can tell her age unto an hour. 

Lady Caindet. She's not fourteen. 

Nurse. I'll lay fourteen of m.j teeth, — 
And yet, to my teen be it spoken, I have but four, — 
She is not fourteen. How long is it now 
To Lammas-tide ? 

Lady Capulet. A fortnight and odd days. 

Nurse. Even or odd, of all days in the year, 
Come Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen. 
Susan and she — God rest all Christian souls ! — 
Were of an age : well, Susan is with God ; 
She was too good for me : but, as I said, 
On Lammas-eve at night shall she be fourteen ; 
That shall she, marry ; I remember it well. 
'Tis since the earthquake noAv eleven years ; 
And she was wean'd, — I never shall forget it, — 
Of all the days of the year, upon that day : 
For I had then laid wormwood to my dug, 
Sitting in the sun under the dove-house wall ; 
My lord and you were then at Mantua. — 



EOMEO AND JULIET. 25 

Kay, I do bear a brain : — but, as I said, 

When it did taste tlie wormwood on the nipple 

Of my dug, and felt it bitter, pretty fool. 

To see it tetchy and fall out with the dug ! 

Shake, quoth the dove-house ; 'twas no need, I trow, 

To bid me trudge. 

And since that time it is eleven years ; 

For then she could stand alone ; nay, by the rood, 

She could have run and waddled all about. — 

God mark thee to his grace ! 

Thou wast the prettiest babe that e'er I nurs'd ; 

An I might live to see thee married once, 

I have my wish. 

Lady Capulet. Marry, that ' marry ' is the very theme 
I came to talk of. — Tell me, daughter Juliet, 
How stands your disposition to be married ? 

Juliet. It is an honor that I dream not of. 

Nurse. An honor ! were not I thine only nurse, 
I would say thou hadst suek'd wisdom from thy teat. 

Lady Capulet. Well, think of marriage now ; younger 
than you 
Here in Verona, ladies of esteem, 
Are made already mothers : by my count, 
I was your mother much upon these years 
That you are now a maid. Thus then in brief : 
The valiant Paris seeks you for his love. 

JSfurse. A man, young lady ! lady, such a man 
As all the world — why, he's a man of wax. 



26 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Lady Capulet. Verona's summer hath not such a flower. 

Nurse. Nay, he's a flower ; in faith, a very flower. 

Lady Capulet. What say you ? can you love the gen- 
tleman ? 
This night you shall behold him at our feast ; 
Read o'er the volume of young Paris' face, 
And find delight writ there with beauty's pen; 
Examine every married lineament 
And see how one another lends content, 
A.nd what obscur'd in this fair volume lies 
Find written in the margent of his eyes. 
This precious book of love, this unbound lover, 
To beautify him, only lacks a cover ; 
The fish lives in the sea, and 'tis much pride 
For fair without the fair within to hide. 
That book in many's eyes doth share the glory, 
That in gold clasps locks in the golden story ; 
So shall you share all that he doth possess. 
By having him making yourself no less. 
Speak briefly, can you like of Paris' love ? 

Juliet. I'll look to like, if looking liking move ; 
But no more deep will I endart mine eye 
Than your consent gives strength to make it fly. 

Enter a Servant. 

Servant. Madam, the guests are come, supper served 
up, you called, my young lady asked for, the nurse cursed 



BOMEO AND JULIET. 27 

in the pantry, and everything in extremity. I must 
hence to wait ; I be,seech you, follow straight. 

Lady Cajpulet. We follow thee. \Exit Servant.'] 

Juliet, the county stays. 
Nurse. Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days. 

\_Exeunt. 

Scene IV. A Street. 

Enter Romeo, Mercutio, Benvolio, with five or six 
Maskers, Torch-bearers, and others. 

Romeo. What, shall this speech be spoke for our ex- 
cuse ? 
Or shall we on without apology ? 

Benvolio. The date is out of such prolixity. 
We'll have no Cupid hoodwink'd with a scarf, 
Bearing a Tartar's painted bow of lath, 
Scaring the ladies like a crow-keeper ; 
Nor no without-book prologue, faintly spoke 
After the prompter, for our entrance : 
But let them measure us by what they will, 
We'll measure them a measure, and be gone. 

Romeo. Give me a torch ; I am not for this ambling : 
Being but heavy, I will bear the light. 

Mercutio. Nay, gentle Romeo, Ave must have you dance. 

Romeo. Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes 
With nimble soles ; I have a soul of lead 
So stakes me to the ground I cannot move. 



28 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Mercutio. You are a lover ; borrow Cupid's wings, 
And soar with them above a common bound. 

Romeo. I am too sore enpierced with his shaft 
To soar Avith his light feathers, and, so bound, 
I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe ; 
Under love's heavy burden do I sink. 

Mercutio. And, to sink in it, should you burden love ; 
Too great oppression for a tender thing. 

Romeo. Is love a tender thing ? it is too rough, 
Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn. 

Mercutio. If love be rough with you, be rough with 
love; 
Prick love for pricking, and jovi beat love down. — 
Give me a case to put my visage in ; 

\_Putting on a mask. 
A visor for a visor ! what care I 
What curious eye doth quote deformities ? 
Here are the beetle-brows shall blush for me. 

Benvolio. Come, knock and enter ; and no sooner in, 
But every man betake him to his legs. 

Romeo. A torch for me ; let wantons light of heart 
Tickle the senseless rushes with their heels, 
For I am proverb'd with a grandsire phrase : 
I'll be a candle-holder, and look on. 
The game was ne'er so fair, and I am done. 

Mercutio. Tut, dun's the mouse, the constable's own 
word: 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 29 

If thou art Dun, we'll draw thee from the mire 
Of this sir-reverence love, wherein thou stick'st 
Up to the ears. — Come, we burn daylight, ho ! 

Romeo. Nay, that's not so. 

Mercutio. I mean, sir, in delay 

We waste our lights in vain, like lamps by day. 
Take our good meaning, for our judgment sits 
Five times in that ere once in our five wits. 

Borneo. And we mean well in going to this mask ; 
But 'tis no wit to go. 

Mercutio. Why, may one ask ? 

Borneo. I dreamt a dream to-night. 

Mercutio. ^nd so did I. 

Romeo. Well, what was yours ? 

Mercutio. That dreamers often lie. 

Rovieo. In bed asleep, while they do dream things true. 

Mercutio. O, then, I see Queen Mab hath been with 
you. 
She is the fairies' midwife, and she comes 
In shape no bigger than an agate-stone 
On the fore-finger of an alderman, 
Drawn with a team of little atomies 
Athwart men's noses as they lie asleep ; 
Her wagon-spokes made of long spinners' legs, 
The cover of the wings of grasshoppers. 
The traces of the smallest spider's web. 
The collars of the moonshine's watery beams. 



30 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Her whip of cricket's bone, the lash of film, 

Her wagoner a small gray-coated gnat, 

Not half so big as a round little worm 

Prick'd from the lazy finger of a maid ; 

Her chariot is an empty hazel-nnt 

Made by the joiner squirrel or old grub, 

Time out o' mind the fairies' coach-makers. 

And in this state she gallops night by night 

Through lovers' brains, and then they dream of love ; 

O'er courtiers' knees, that dream on court'sies straight ; 

O'er lawyers' fingers, who straight dream on fees ; 

O'er ladies' lips, who straight on kisses dream. 

Which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues, 

Because their breaths with sweetmeats tainted are. 

Sometime she gallops o'er a courtier's nose, 

And then dreams he of smelling out a suit. 

And sometimes comes she with a tithe-pig's tail 

Tickling a parson's nose as a' lies asleep, 

Then dreams he of another benefice. 

Sometime she driveth o'er a soldier's neck, 

And then dreams he of cutting foreign throats, 

Of breaches, ambuscadoes, Spanish blades. 

Of healths five-fatliom deep ; and then anon 

Drums in his ears, at which he starts and wakes, 

And being thus frighted swears a prayer or two 

And sleeps again. This is that very Mab 

That plats the manes of horses in the night. 



BOMEO AND JULIET. 31 

And bakes the elf-locks in fonl sluttish hairs, 
Which once untangled much misfortune bodes. 
This is she — 

Romeo. Peace, peace, Mercutio, peace ! 

Thou talk'st of nothing. 

Mercutio. True, I talk of dreams, 

Which are the children of an idle brain, 
Begot of nothing but vain fantasy. 
Which is as thin of substance as the air, 
And more inconstant than the wind, who wooes 
Even now the frozen bosom of the North, 
And, being anger'd, puffs away from thence, 
Turning his face to the dew-dropping South. 

Benvolio. This wind you talk of blows us from our- 
selves ; 
Supper is done, and we shall come too late. 

Romeo. I fear, too early ; for my mind misgives 
Some consequence, yet hanging in the stars, 
Shall bitterly begin his fearful date 
With this night's revels, and expire the term 
Of a despised life clos'd in my breast 
By some vile forfeit of untimely death. 
But He that hath the steerage of my course 
Direct my sail ! — On, lusty gentlemen. 

Benvolio. Strike, drum. \_^Exeunt. 



32 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Scene V. A Hall in Capidefs House. 
Musicians tvaiting. Enter Servingmen, ivith napkins. 

1 Servingman. AVhere's Potpan, that lie helps not to 
take away ? He shift a trencher ! he scrape a trencher ! 

2 Serviiigman. When good manners shall lie all in one 
or two men's hands and they unwashed too, 'tis a foul 
thing. 

1 Serviyigman. Away with the joint-stools, remove the 
court-cupboard, look to the plate. — Good thou, save me 
a piece of marchpane ; and, as thou lovest me, let the 
porter let in Susan Grindstone and Nell. — Antony ! and 
Potpan ! 

2 Servingman. Ay, boy, ready. 

1 Servingman. You are looked for and called for, asked 
for and sought for, in the great chamber. 

2 Servingman. We cannot be here and there too. — 
Cheerly, boys ; be brisk awhile, and the longer liver take 
all. 

Enter Capulet, tvith Juliet and others of Ms hoiise, 
meeting the Guests and Maskers. 

Capxdet. Welcome, gentlemen ! ladies that have their 
toes 
Unplagu'd with corns will have a bout with you. — 




^„ 



BOMEO AND JULIET. 33 

Ah. ha, my mistresses ! which of you all 

Will now deny to dance ? she that makes dainty, 

She, I'll swear, hath corns ; am I come near ye now ? — 

Welcome, gentlemen ! I have seen the day 

That I have worn a visor, and could tell 

A Avhispering tale in a fair lady's ear. 

Such as would please ; 'tis gone, 'tis gone, 'tis gone : — 

You are welcome, gentlemen ! Come, musicians, play. — 

A hall, a hall ! give room ! and foot it, girls. — 

[^Music plays, and they dance. 
More light, you knaves ; and turn the tables up. 
And quench the fire, the room is grown too hot. — 
Ah, sirrah, this unlook'd-for sport comes well. — 
Nay, sit, nay, sit, good cousin Capulet ; 
For you and I are past our dancing days : 
How long is't now since last yourself and I 
Were in a mask ? 

2 Capulet. By 'r lady, thirty years. 

Capulet. What, man! 'tis not so much, 'tis not so 
much : 
'Tis since the nuptial of Lucentio, 
Come Pentecost as quickly as it will. 
Some five and twenty years ; and then we mask'd. 

2 Capulet. 'Tis more, 'tis more : his son is elder, sir ; 
His son is thirty. 

Capulet. Will you tell me that ? 

His son was but a ward two years ago. 



34 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Romeo. [To a Servingmrm'] What lady is that, which 
doth enrich the hand 
Of yonder knight ? 

Servingman. I know not, sir. 

Romeo. 0, she doth teach the torches to burn bright ! 
Her beauty hangs upon the cheek of night 
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear; 
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear ! 
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, 
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows. 
The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand. 
And, touching hers, make blessed my rude hand. 
Did my heart love till now ? Forswear it, sight ! 
For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night. 

Tijhalt. This, by his voice, should be a Montague. — 
Fetch me my rapier, boy. — What dares the slave 
Come hither, cover'd with an antic face. 
To fleer and scorn at our solemnity ? 
Now, by the stock and honor of my kin, 
To strike him dead I hold it not a sin. 

Ciipulet. Why, how now, kinsman ! wherefore storm 
you so ? 

Tybalt. Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe, 
A villain that is hithex come in spite. 
To scorn at our solemnity this night. 

Ctqmlet. Young Romeo, is it ? 

Tybalt. ■ 'Tis he, that villain Komeo. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 35 

Capxdet. Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone : 
He bears him like a portly gentleman ; 
And, to say truth, Verona brags of him 
To be a virtuous and well-govern'd youth. 
I would not for the wealth of all the town 
Here in my house do him disparagement ; 
Therefore be patient, take no note of him : 
It is my will, the which if thou respect, 
Show a fair presence and put off these frowns, 
An ill-beseeming semblance for a feast. 

Tybalt. It fits, when such a villain is a guest ; 
I'll not endure him. 

Capulet. He shall be endur'd: 
What, goodman boy ! I say, he shall : go to ; 
Am I the master here, or you ? go to. 
You'll not endure him ! — God shall mend my soul ! — 
You'll make a mutiny among my guests ! 
You will set cock-a-hoop ! you'll be the man ! 

Tybalt. Why, uncle, 'tis a shame. 

Capulet. Go to, go to ; 

You are a saucy boy : — is't so, indeed ? — 
This trick may chance to scathe you, — I know what. 
You must contrary me ! marry, 'tis time. — 
Well said, my hearts ! — You are a princox ; go : 
Be quiet, or — More light, more light ! — For shame ! 
I'll make you quiet. What ! — Cheerly, my hearts ! 

Tybalt. Patience perforce with wilful choler meeting 



36 EOMEO AND JULIET. 

Makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting. 

I will withdraw ; but this intrusion shall, 

Now seeming sweet, convert to bitter gall. [Exit. 

Borneo. \_To Juliet] If I profane with my un worthiest 
hand 

This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this : 
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand 

To smooth that rough touch Avith a tender kiss. 

Juliet. Good pilgrim, you do Avrong your hand too much, 

Which mannerly devotion shows in this ; 
For saiiits have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, 

And palm to palm is holy palmer's kiss. 

Romeo. Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too ? 

Juliet. Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer. 

Romeo. 0, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do ; 
They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair. 

Juliet. Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' 
sake. 

Romeo. Then move not, while my prayer's effect I 
take. 
Thus from my lips by thine my sin is purg'd. 

\_Kissing her. 

Juliet. Then have my lips the sin that they have took. 

Romeo. Sin from my lips ? trespass sweetly urg'd ! 
Give me my sin again. 

Juliet. You kiss by the book. 

Nxirse. Madam, your mother craves a word with you. 




Photo by Byron 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 37 

Eomeo. What is her mother ? 

Nurse. Marry, bachelor, 

Her mother is the lady of the house, ' 
And a good lady, and a wise, and virtuous. 
I nurs'd her daughter, that you talk'd withal; 
I tell you, he that can lay hold of her 
Shall have the chinks. 

Borneo. Is she a Capulet ? 

dear account ! my life is my foe's debt. 
Benvolio. Away, begone ; the sport is at the best. 
Romeo. Ay, so I fear ; the more is my unrest. 
Capulet. Nay, gentlemen, prepare not to be gone ; 

We have a trifling foolish banquet towards. — 
Is it e'en so ? why, then, I thank you all : 

1 thank you, honest gentlemen ; good night. — 
More torches here ! — Come on then, let's to bed. 
Ah, sirrah, by my fay, it waxes late ; 

I'll to my rest. \_Exeunt all but Juliet and Nurse. 

Juliet. Come hither, nurse. What is yond gentleman? 

Nurse. The son and heir of old Tiberio. 

Juliet. What's he that now is going out of door ? 

Nurse. Marry, that, I think, be young Petruchio. 

Juliet. What's he that follows there, that would not 
dance ? 

Nurse. I know not. 

Juliet. Go, ask his name. — If he be married, 
My grave is like to be my wedding bed. 



38 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Nurse. His name is Eomeo, and a Montague, 
The only son of your great enemy. 

Juliet. My only love sprung from my only hate ! 
Too early seen unknown, and known too late ! 
Prodigious birth of love it is to me, 
That I must love a loathed enemy. 

Nurse. What's this ? what's this ? 

Juliet. A rhyme I learn'd even now 

Of one I danc'd withal. \_One calls ivithin, 'Juliet.' 

Nu7'se. Anon, anon ! — 

Come, let's away ; the strangers all are gone. [^Exetmf. 

Enter Chorus. 

Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie, 

And young affection gapes to be his heir ; 
That fair for which love groan'd for and would die. 

With tender Juliet match'd, is now not fair. 
Now Eomeo is belov'd and loves again, 

Alike bewitched by the charm of looks, 
But to his foe suppos'd he must complain. 

And she steal love's sweet bait from fearful hooks. 
Being held a foe, he may not have access 

To breathe such vows as lovers use to swear ; . 
And she as much in love, her means much less 

To meet her new-beloved anywhere. 
But passion lends them power, time means, to meet. 
Tempering extremities with extreme sweet. \_Exit. 



ACT II. 

Scene I. A Lane hy the wall of Capulet''s Orchard. 

Enter Eomeo. 
Romeo. Can I go forward when my heart is here ? 
Turn back, dull earth, and find thy centre out. 

\_He climbs the wall, and leajys down ivithin it. 

Enter Benvolio and Mercutio. 

Benvolio. Eomeo ! my cousin Eomeo ! Eomeo ! 

Mercutio. He is wise ; 

And, on my life, hath stol'n him home to bed. 

Benvolio. He ran this way, and leap'd this orchard 
wall ; 
Call, good Mercutio. 

Mercutio. Nay, I'll conjure too. — 
Eomeo ! humors ! madman ! passion ! lover ! 
Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh ! 
Speak but one rhyme, and I am satisfied ; 
Cry but 'Ay me!' pronounce but 'love' and 'dove'; 
Speak to my gossip Venus one fair word, 
One nickname for her purblind son and heir, 
Young Abraham Cupid, he that shot so trim, 
When King Cophetna lov'd the beggar-maid! — 
He heareth not, he stirreth not, he moveth not ; 

39 



40 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

The ape is dead, and T must conjure him. — 
I conjure thee by Eosaline's bright eyes, 
By her high forehead and her scarlet lip, 
That in thy likeness thou appear to us ! 

Benvolio. An if he hear thee thou wilt anger him. 

Mercutio. This cannot anger him : 'twould anger him 
To raise a spirit in his mistress' circle 
Of some strange nature, letting it there stand 
Till she had laid it and conjur'd it down ; 
That were some spite : my invocation 
Is fair and honest, and in his mistress' name 
T conjure only but to raise up him. 

Benvolio. Come, he hath hid himself among these trees. 
To be consorted with the humorous night ; 
Blind is his love and best befits the dark, 

Mercutio. If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark. — 
Romeo, good night. — I'll to my truckle bed; 
This field-bed is too cold for me to sleep. 
Come, shall we go ? 

Benvolio. Go, then ; for 'tis in vain 

To seek him here that means not to be found. [^Exeunt. 

Scene II, Cajpulet^s Orchard. 

Enter Romeo, 

Romeo. He jests at scars that never felt a wound. — 

[Juliet appears above at a window. 



liOMEO AND JULIET. 4^ 

But, soft ! what light through yonder window breaks ? 

It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. — 

Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, 

Who is already sick and pale with grief, 

That thou her maid art far more fair than she. 

Be not her maid, since she is envious : 

Her vestal livery is but sick and green, 

And none but fools do wear it ; cast it off. — 

It is my lady, 0, it is my love ! 

0, that she knew she were ! — 

She speaks, yet she says nothing ; what of that ? 

Her eye discourses ; I will answer it. 

I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks. 
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, 
Having some business, do entreat her eyes 
To twinkle in their spheres till they return. 
What if her eyes were there, they in her head ? 
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, 
As daylight doth a lamp ; her eyes in heaven 
Would through the airy region stream so bright 
That birds would sing and think it were not night. 
See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand ! 
O, that I were a glove upon that hand, 
That I might touch that cheek ! 
Juliet. Ay me ! 

Romeo. She speaks. — 

O, speak again, bright angel ! for thou art 



42 BOMEO AND JULIET. 

As glorious to this niglit, being o'er my head, 

As is a winged messenger of heaven 

Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes 

Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him, 

When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds 

And sails upon the bosom of the air. 

Juliet. Komeo, Komeo ! wherefore art thou Komeo ? 

Deny thy father and refuse thy name ; 

Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love. 

And I'll no longer be a Capulet. 

Fiomeo. [Aside'] Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at 

this? 
Juliet. 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy ; 

Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. 

What's Montague ? it is nor hand, nor foot, 
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part 
.Belonging to a man. 0, be some other name ! 
What's in a name ? that which we call a rose 
By any other name would smell as sweet ; 
So Komeo would, were he not Komeo call'd, 
Ketain that dear perfection which he owes 
Without that title. —Komeo, doff thy name, 
And for that name, which is no part of thee, 
Take all myself. 

Itomeo. I take thee at thy word : 

Call me but love, and I'll be new baptiz'd; 
Henceforth I never will be Komeo. 




Photo by Byron 



EOMEO AND JULIET. 43 

Juliet. What man art thou that thus bescreen'd in 
night 
So stumblest on my counsel ? 

Rowso. By a name 

I know not how to tell thee who I am. 
My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself, 
Because it is an enemy to thee ; 
Had I it written, I would tear the word. 

Juliet. My ears have yet not drunk a hundred words 
Of that tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound. — 
Art thou not Eomeo, and a Montague ? 

Romeo. Neither, fair maid, if either thee dislike. 

Juliet. How cam'st thou hither, tell me, and where- 
fore ? 
The orchard walls are high and hard to climb. 
And the place death, considering who thou art. 
If any of my kinsmen find thee here. 

Romeo. With love's light wings did I o'er-perch these 
walls, 
For stony limits cannot hold love out, 
And what love can do that dares love attempt ; 
Therefore thy kinsmen are no let to me. 

Juliet. If they do see thee, they will murder thee. 

Romeo. Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye 
Than twenty of their swords ; look thou but sweet. 
And I am proof against their enmity. 

Juliet. I would not for the world they saw thee here. 



44 , EOMEO AND JULIET. 

Romeo. I have night's cloak to hide me from their 
eyes ; 
And but thou love me, let them find me here : 
My life were better ended by their hate, 
Than death prorogued, Avanting of thy love. 

Juliet. By whose direction found'st thou out this place ? 

Romeo. By love, that first did prompt me to inquire ; 
He lent me counsel, and I lent him eyes. 
I am no pilot ; yet, wert thou as far 
As that vast shore Avash'd with the farthest sea, 
I would adventure for such merchandise. 

Juliet. Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face, 
Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek 
For that which thou hast heard me speak to-night. 
Fain would I dwell on form, fain, fain deny 
What I have spoke ; but farewell compliment ! 
Dost thou love me ? I know thou wilt say ay, 
And I will take thy word : yet, if thou swear'st, 
Thou mayst prove false ; at lovers' perjuries. 
They say, Jove laughs. gentle Romeo, 
If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully : 
Or if thou think'st I am too quickly won, 
I'll frown and be perverse and say thee nay, 
So thou wilt woo ; but else, not for the world. 
In truth, fair IMontague, I am too fond. 
And therefore thou mayst think my havior light ; 
But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true 




Photo by Bv ron 



EOMEO AND JULIET. 45 

Than those that have more cunning to be strange. 
I should have been more strange, I must confess, 
But that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware, 
My true love's passion ; therefore pardon me, 
And not impute this yielding to light love, 
Which the dark night hath so discovered, 

Borneo. Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear, 
That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops — 

Juliet. O, swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon, 
That monthly changes in her circled orb, 
Lest that thy love prove likewise variable. 

Borneo. What shall I swear by ? 

Juliet. L)o not swear at all ; 

Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, 
Which is the god of my idolatry, 
And I'll believe thee. 

Borneo. If my heart's dear love — 

Juliet. Well, do not swear. Although I joy in thee, 
I have no joy of this contract to-night ; 
It is too rash, too unadvis'd, too sudden. 
Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be 
Ere one can say it lightens. Sweet, good night ! 
This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath. 
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet. 
Good night, good night ! as sweet repose and rest 
Come to thy heart as that within my breast ! 

Borneo. 0, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied ? 



4g KOMEO AND JULIET. 

Juliet. What satisfaction canst thon have to-night? 
Eomeo. The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for 

mine ? 
Juliet. I gave thee mine before thou didst request it; 
And yet I woukl it were to give again. 

Momeo. Wouklst thou withdraw it? for what purpose, 

love? 
Juliet. But to be frank, and give it thee again. 
And yet I wish but for the thing I have : 
My bounty is as boundless as the sea. 
My love as deep ; the more I give to thee, 
The more I have, for both are infinite. 

\_Nurse calls tvithin. 

I hear some noise within ; dear love, adieu ! — 
Anon, good nurse ! — Sweet Montague, be true. 
Stay but a little, I will come again. C^*'^- 

Borneo. blessed, blessed night ! I am afeard, 
Being in night, all this is but a dream. 
Too flattering-sweet to be substantial. 

Re-enter Juliet, above. 
Juliet. Three words, dear Romeo, and good night in- 
deed. 
If that thy bent of love be honorable. 
Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow, 
By one that I'll procure to come to thee. 
Where and what time, thou wilt perform the rite ; 



EOMEO AND JULIET. 47 

And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay, 

And follow thee my lord throughout the world. 

Nurse. [ Within] Madam ! 

Juliet. I come, anon. — But if thou mean'st not well, 
I do beseech thee — 

Nurse. \_Within'] Madam! 

Juliet. By and by, I come. — 

To cease thy suit, and leave me to my grief ; 
To-morrow will I send. 

Romeo. So thrive my soul — 

Juliet. A thousand times good night ! [Exit. 

Borneo. A thousand times the worse, to want thy 
light. 
Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books, 
But love from love toward school with heavy looks. 

[Retiring slowly. 

Re-enter Juliet, above. 

Juliet. Hist ! Romeo, hist ! — 0, for a falconer's voice 
To lure this tassel-gentle back again ! 
Bondage is hoarse, and may not speak aloud ; 
Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies. 
And make her airy tongue more hoarse than mine 
With repetition of my Romeo's name. 

Romeo. It is my soul that calls upon my name ; 
How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night, 
Like softest miisic to attending ears ! 



48 BOMEO AND JULIET. 

Juliet. Eomeo ! 

Iiomeo. My dear ? 

Juliet. At what o'clock to-morrow 

Shall I send to thee ? 

Borneo. At the hour of nine. 

Juliet. I will not fail ; 'tis twenty years till then. 
I have forgot why I did call thee back. 

Borneo. Let me stand here till thou remember it. 

Juliet. I shall forget, to have thee still stand there, 
Eemembering how I love thy company. 

Borneo. And I'll still stay, to have thee still forget, 
Forgetting any other home but this. 

Juliet. 'Tis almost morning ; I would have thee gone, 
And yet no farther than a wanton's bird. 
Who lets it hop a little from her hand. 
Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves, 
And with a silk thread plucks it back again, 
So loving-jealous of his liberty. 

Borneo. I would I were thy bird. 

Juliet. Sweet, so would I ; 
Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing. 
Good night, good night ! parting is such sAveet sorrow 
That I shall say good night till it be morrow, 

\_Exit, above. 

Borneo. Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy 
breast ! 
"Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest ! 




Photo by Byron 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 49 

Hence will I to my ghostly father's cell, 

His help to crave, and my dear hap to tell. [Exit. 



Scene III. Friar Laurence's Cell. 

Enter Eriar Laurence, ivlth a basket. 

Friar Laurence. The gray-eyed morn smiles on the 
frowning night, 
Checkering the eastern clouds with streaks of light, 
And flecked darkness like a drunkard reels 
From forth day's path and Titan's fiery wheels. 
Now, ere the sun advance his burning eye, 
The day to cheer and night's dank, dew to dry, 
I must up-fill this osier cage of ours 
With baleful weeds and precious-juiced flowers. 
The earth that's nature's mother is her tomb; 
What is her burying grave that is her womb, 
And from her womb children of divers kind 
We sucking on her natural bosom find. 
Many for many virtues excellent. 
None but for some, and yet all different. 
0, mickle is the powerful grace that lies 
In herbs, plants, stones, and their true qualities ! 
For nought so vile that on the earth doth live 
But to the earth some special good doth give ; 
Nor aught so good but, strain'd from that fair use. 



50 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Kevolts from true birtli, stumbling on abuse. 

Virtue itself turns vice, being misapplied, 

And vice sometiuu>\s by action dignified. 

Witliin the infant rind of this weak flower 

l*oison hath residence, and nuHlicine power ; 

For this, bi'ing snudt, with that })art cheers each part, 

]>eing tast(Ml, slays all senses with the heart. 

Two such opposed kings encamp them still 

In man as well as herbs, — grace and rude will; 

And where the worser is predominant, 

l^'ull soon the canker death eats up that plant. 

Enter Komko. 

Homeo. Good morrow, father. 

Friar Laurence. Benedicite ! 

What early tongue so sweet saluteth me ? — 
Young son, it argues a disteniperM head 
So soon to bid good nmrrow to thy bed : 
Care keeps his watch in every old man's eye, 
And where care lodges, sleep will never lie ; 
lint where unbruised youth with vuistuff'd brain 
Doth couch his limbs, there golden sleep doth reign. 
Therefore thy earliness doth nie assure 
Thou art up-rous'd with some distemperature ; 
Or if not so, then here I hit it right. 
Our Komeo hath not been in bed to-night. 

Ixomeo. That last is true ; the sweeter rest was mine. 



IIOMEO AND JULIET. 51 

Friar Lai.trence. God pardon sin ! wast thou with Rosa- 
line ? 

Romeo. With Rosaline, my ghostly father ? no ; 
I have forgot that name, and that name's woe. 

Friar Laurence. That's my good son ; but where hast 
thou been, then ? 

Romeo. I'll tell thee, ere thou ask it me again. 
I have been feasting with mine enemy, 
Where on a sudden one hath wounded me, 
That's by me wounded ; both our remedies 
Within thy help and holy })hysic lies. 
I bear no hatred, blessed man, for, lo, 
My intercession likewise steads my foe. 

Friar Laurence. Be plain, good son, and homely in thy 
drift ; 
Riddling confession finds but riddling shrift. 

Romeo. Then plainly know, my heart's dear love is set 
On the fair daughter of rich Capulet : 
As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine ; 
And all combin'd, save what thou must combine 
By holy marriage. When and where and how 
We met, we woo'd and made exchange of vow, 
I'll tell thee as we pass ; but this I pray, 
That thou consent to marry us to-day. 

Friar Laurence. Holy Saint Francis, what a change is 
here ! 
Is Rosaline, that thou didst love so dear, 



52 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

So soon forsaken ? young men's love then lies 

Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes. 

Jesu Maria, what a deal of brine 

Hath wash'd thy sallow cheeks for Rosaline ! 

How much salt water thrown away in waste, 

To season love, that of it doth not taste ! 

The sun not yet thy sighs from heaven clears, 

Thy old groans ring yet in my ancient ears ; 

Lo, here upon thy cheek the stain doth sit 

Of an old tear that is not wash'd off yet. 

If e'er thou wast thyself and these woes thine. 

Thou and these woes were all for Rosaline ; 

And art thou chang'd ? pronounce this sentence then: 

Women may fall, when there's no strength in men. 

Romeo. Thou chidd'st me oft for loving Rosaline. 

Friar Laxtrence. For doting, not for loving, pupil mine. 

Romeo. And bad'st me bury love. 

Friar Laurence. Not in a grave. 

To lay one in, another out to have. 

Romeo. I pray thee, chide not : she whom I love now 
Doth grace for grace and love for love allow ; 
The other did not so. 

Friar Laurence. O, she knew well, 
Thy love did read by rote and could not spell. 
But come, young waverer, come, go with me, 
In one respect I'll thy assistant be ; 
For this alliance may so happy prove, 
To turn your households' rancor to pure love. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 53 

Borneo. 0, let us hence, I stand, on sudden haste. 
Friar Laurence. Wisely and slow ; they stumble that 
run fast. \_Exeunt. 

Scene IV. A Street. 
Enter Benvolio and Mercutio. 

Mercutlo. Where the devil should this Romeo be ? 
Came he not home to-night ? 

Benvolio. Not to his father's ; I spoke with his man. 

Mercutio. Why, that same pale hard-hearted, wench, 
that Rosaline, 
Torments him so that he will sure run mad. 

Benvolio. Tybalt, the kinsman of old Capulet, 
Hath sent a letter to his father's house. 

Mercutio. A challenge, on my life. 

Benvolio. Romeo will answer it. 

Mercutio. Any man that can write may answer a letter. 

Benvolio. Nay, he will answer the letter's master, how 
he dares, being dared. 

Mercutio. Alas, poor Romeo ! he is already dead ; 
stabbed with a white wench's black eye ; shot through 
the ear with a love-song ; the very pin of his heart cleft 
with the blind bow-boy's butt-shaft : and is he a man to 
encounter Tybalt ? 

Benvolio. Why, what is Tybalt ? 

Mercutio. More than prince of cats, I can tell you. 0, 



54 liOMEO AXD JULIET. 

lie is the courageous captain of compliments. He fights 
as you sing prick-song, keeps time, distance, and propor- 
tion; rests nie his minim rest, one, two, and the third in 
your bosom : the very butcher of a silk button, a duel- 
list, a duellist ; a gentleman of the very first house, of 
the first and second cause. Ah, the immortal passado I 
the punto reverso ! the hay ! 

Bcnvolio. The what? 

Mercntio. The pox of such antic, lisping, affecting 
fantasticoes, these new tuners of accents ! ' By Jesu, a 
ver}- good blade ! a very tall man !' — Why, is not this a 
lamentable thing, grandsire, that we should be thus 
afflicted with these strange flies, these fashion-mongers, 
these 2H(rdo)ine.z-mois, who stand so much on the new 
form that they cannot sit at ease on the old bench ? 0. 
their hons, their bans ! 

Enter Romeo. 

Benvolio. Here comes Eomeo. here comes Eomeo. 

Memitio. Without his roe, like a dried herring. 
flesh, flesh, how art thou fi.shified ! ^ow is he for the 
numbers that Petrarch flowed in : Laura to his lady was 
but a kitchen-wench ; marry, she had a better love to be- 
rhyme her ; Dido a dowdy ; Cleopatra a gypsy ; Helen 
and Hero hildings and harlots ; Thisbe a gray ej-e or so. 
but not to the purpose. — Signior Komeo. hon Jour.' 
there's a French salutation to your French slop. You 
gave us the counterfeit fairly last night. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 55 

liomeo. Good morrow to you both. What counterfeit 
did I give you ? 

Mercutio. The slip, sir, the slip; can you not conceive ? 

Borneo. Pardon, good Mercutio, rny business was great ; 
and in such a case as mine a man may strain courtesy. 

Mercutio. That's as much as to say, such a case as 
yours constrains a man to bow in the hams. 

Romeo. Meaning, to courtesy. 

Mercutio. Thou hast most kindly hit it. 

Romeo. A most courteous exposition. 

Mercutio. Nay, I am the very pink of courtesy. 

Romeo. Pink for flower. 

Merevtlo. Kight. 

Romeo. Why, then is my pump well flowered. 

Mercutio. Well said ; follow me this jest now till thou 
hast worn out thy pumjj, that when the single sole of it is 
worn, the jest may remain after the wearing sole singular. 

Romeo. single-soled jest, solely singular for the sin- 
gleness. 

Mercutio. Come between us, good Benvolio ; my wits 
fail. 

Romeo. Switch and spurs, switch and spurs ; or I'll 
cry a match. 

Mercutio. Nay, if thy wits run the wild-goose chase, I 
have done, for thou hast more of the wild-goose in one 
of thy wits than, I am sure, I have in my whole five. 
Was T with you there for the goose ? 



56 BOMEO AND JULIET. 

Romeo. Thou wast never with me for anything when 
thou wast not there for the goose. 

Mercutio. I will bite thee by the ear for that jest. 

Romeo. Nay, good goose, bite not. 

Mercutio. Thy wit is ^ very bitter sweeting; it is a 
most sharp sauce. 

Romeo. And is it not well served in to a sweet goose ? 

Ilerctitio. 0, here's a wit of cheveril, that stretches 
from an inch narrow to an ell broad ! 

Romeo. I stretch it out for that word ' broad ; ' which 
added to the goose, proves thee far and wide a broad 
goose. 

Mercutio. Why, is not this better now than groaning 
for love ? now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo ; 
now art thou what thou art, by art as well as by nature : 
for this drivelling love is like a great natural, — 

Benvolio. Stop there, stop there. 

Romeo. Here's goodly gear ! 

Enter Nurse and Peter. 

Mercutio. A sail, a sail ! 
Benvolio. Two, two ; a shirt and a smock. 
Nurse. Peter ! 
Peter. Anon ! 
Nurse. My fan, Peter. 

Mercutio. Good Peter, to hide her face ; for her fan's 
the fairer of the two. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 57 

Nurse. God ye good morrow, gentlemen, 
Mercutio. God ye good den, fair gentlewoman. 

Nurse. Is it good den ? 

Mercutio. 'Tis no less, I tell yon, for the hand of the 
dial is now upon the prick of noon. 

Nurse. Out upon you ! what a man are you ! 

Romeo. One, gentlewoman, that God hath made for 
hiiiiself to mar. 

Nurse. By my troth, it is well said; 'for himself to 
mar,' quoth a' ? — Gentlemen, can any of you tell me 
where I may find the young Romeo ? 

Romeo. I can tell you; but young Romeo will be 
older when you have found him than he was when you 
sought him. I am the youngest of that name, for fault 
of a worse. 

Nurse. You say well. 

Mercutio. Yea, is the worst well ? very well took, i' 
faith ; wisely, wisely. 

Nurse. If you be he, sir, I desire some confidence with 
you. 

Benvolio. She will indite him to some supper. 

Mercutio. So ho ! 

Romeo. "What hast thou found ? 

Mercutio. No hare, sir ; unless a hare, sir, in a lenten pie, 
that is something stale and hoar ere it be spent. — Romeo, 
will you come to your father's ? we'll to dinner, thither. 

Romeo. I will follow you. 



58 EOMEO AND JULIET. 

Mercut'io. Farewell, ancient lady; farewell, [singing'] 
'lady, lady, lady.' \_Exeunt Mercut'io and Benrolh. 

JS^iirse. jSIarry, farewell 1 — I pray you, sir, what saucy 
merchant was this, that was so full of his ropery ? 

Borneo. A gentleman, nurse, that loves to hear himself 
talk, and Avill speak more in a minute than he will stand 
to in a month. 

Xurse. An a' speak anything against me, I"ll take him 
down, an a' were lustier than he is, and twenty such 
Jacks ; and if I cannot, I'll find those that shall. Scurvy 
knave ! I am none of his llirt-gills ; I am none of his 
skains-mates. — And thou must stand by too, and suffer 
every knave to use me at his pleasure ? 

Peter. I saw no man use you at his pleasure ; if I 
had, my weapon should quickly have been' out, I warrant 
you. I dare draw as soon as another man, if I see occa- 
sion in a good quarrel, and the law on my side. 

Nurse. Now, afore God, I am so vexed, that every 
part about me quivers. Scurvy knave ! — Pray you, sir, 
a word ; and as I told you, my young lady bade me 
inquire you out ; what she bade me say, I Avill keep to 
myself : but first let me tell ye, if ye should lead her in 
a fool's paradise, as they say, it were a very gross kind 
of behavior, as they say ; for the gentlewoman is young, 
and, therefore, if you should deal double with her. truly 
it were an ill thing to be offered to any gentlewoman, 
and very weak dealing. 



BOMEO AND JULIET. 59 

Borneo. Nurse, commend me to thy lady and mistress. 
I protest unto thee — 

Nurse. Good heart, and, i' faith, I will tell her as 
much. Lord, Lord, she will be a joyful woman. 

Romeo. What wilt thou tell her, nurse ? thou dost not 
mark me. 

Nurse. I will tell her, sir, that you do protest ; which, 
as I take it, is a gentlemanlike offer. 

Romeo. Bid her devise some means to come to shrift 
This afternoon ; 

And there she shall at Friar Laurence' cell 
Be shriv'd and married. Here is for thy pains. 

Nurse. No, truly, sir ; not a penny. 

Romeo. Go to ; I say you shall. 

Nurse. This afternoon, sir ? well, she shall be there. 

Romeo. And stay, good nurse ; behind the abbey wall 
"Within this hour my man shall be with thee. 
And bring thee cords made like a tackled stair ; 
Which to the high top-gallant of my joy 
Must be my convoy in the secret night. 
Farewell ; be trusty, and I'll quit thy pains : 
Farewell ; commend me to thy mistress. 

Nirse. Now God in heaven bless thee ! Hark you, sir. 

Romeo. What say'st thou, my dear nurse ? 

Nurse. Is your man secret? Did you ne'er hear say, 
Two may keep counsel, putting one away ? 

Romeo. I warrant thee, my man's as true as steel. 



CO ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Xio'sr. \\'A\, sir; my mistress is tlio swcolost, lady — 
Lord, Lord! wIumi "twas a, little prating thing — O. tlun-e 
is a. iiobloman in town, one Paris, that would lain lay 
knit'c aboard; but she, good soul, had as lieve sei' a toad, 
a very toad, as sec him. I anger her sometimes, and 
t(>ll her that Paris is the properor man; but. Til warrant 
you, when I say so, she looks as pale as any elout in the 
versal world. Doth not rosemary and Konieo begin both 
with a. hotter ? 

Komeo. Ay, nurse ; what of that ? both with an R. 

Nurse. Ah, mocker! that's the dog's name; \\ is for 
the — No, I know it begins with sonu^ other letter — and 
she hath the jjrettiest sententious of it, of you and rose- 
mary, that it would do you good to hear it. 

Boweo. Counneud nu' to thy lady. 

Nurse. Ay, a thousand times. — \_Exlt Homco.'] Pi>ter ! 

Peter. Anon ! 

Nurse. Before, and apace. [A'.reioit. 

Scene V. C<tpiih'f''s Orehdrd. 

Enter AvxAV.w 

Juliet. The eloek struek nine when T did send the 
nurse ; 
In half an hour she promis'd to return. 
Terehanee she cannot meet him; that's not so. 
(), she is lame ! love's heralds should be thoughts. 



liOMKO AND JULIET. 61 

Which ten times faster glide than the sun's beams 

Driving back shadows over lowering hills ; 

Therefore do nimble-pinion'd doves draw love, 

And therefore hath the wind-swift Cupid wings. 

Now is the sun upon the highniost h'U 

Of tills day's journey, and IVoiii nine till twelve 

Js three long hours, ycit she is not come. 

Had she affections and warm youthful Ijlood, 

She would be as swil't in motion as a ball ; 

My words would bandy her to my sweet love, 

And his to me : 

But old folks, many feign as they were dead; 

Unwieldy, slow, heavy and pale as lead. — 

Enter Nurse and Pktkh. 

O God, she eom(!S ! — hom'y nurse, wlia,t news ? 
Hast thou met with him ? Send thy jiian away. 

Nume. Peter, stay at the gat(;. [ICxlt Peter. 

Juliet. Now, good sweet nurse, — Lord, wliy look'st 
thou sad ? 
Though news be sad, yet tell them merrily; 
If good, thou sham'st the music of sweet news 
By playing it to me with so sour a face. 

Nurse. I am aweary, give me leave awhile, 
Fie, how my bones ache ! what a jaunt have I had ! 

Jallct. I would thou hadst my bones, and I thy news. 
Nay, come, I pray thee, speak; good, good nurse, speak. 



02 EOMEO AND JULIET. 

Nurse. Jesu, wliat haste ? can yon not stay awhile ? 
Do yon not see that I am ont of breath ? 

Juliet. How art thon ont of breath, when thon hast 
breath 
To say to me that thon art ont of breath ? 
The excnse that thou dost make in this delay 
Is longer than the tale thou dost excnse. 
Is thy news good, or bad ? answer to that ; 
Say either, and I'll stay the circumstance. 
Let me be satisfied, is't good or bad ? 

Nurse. Well, you have made a simple choice; yon know 
not how to choose a man. Romeo ! no, not he ; though 
his face be better than any man's, yet his leg excels all 
men's ; and for a hand, and a foot, and a bod}', though 
thej"- be not to be talked on, yet they are past compare : 
he is not the flower of courtesy, but, I'll warrant him, as 
gentle as a lamb. Go thy waj^s, wench ; serve God. 
What, have you dined at home ? 

Juliet. No, no ; but all this did I know before. 
AVhat says he of our marriage ? what of that ? 

Nurse. Lord, how my head aches ! what a head have I ! 
It beats as it would fall in twenty pieces. 
]\ry back o' t'other side, — 0, my back, my back ! 
l>oshrew your heart for sending me about, 
To catch my death with jaunting up and down ! 

Juliet. V faith, I am sorry that thou art not well. 
Sweet, sweet, sweet nurse, tell me, what says my love ? 



ROMEO AND JULIET. gg 

Nurse. Your love says, like an honest gentleman, 
And a courteous, and a kind, and a handsome, 
And, I warrant, a virtuous, — Where is your mother ? 

Juliet. Where is my mother ! why, she is within • 
Where should she be ? How oddly thou repliest ! 
'Your love says, like an honest gentleman. 
Where is your mother ? ' 

Nurse. God's lady dear ! 

Are you so hot ? marry, come up, I trow ; 
Is this the poultice for my aching bones ? 
Henceforward do your messages yourself. 
Juliet. Here's such a coil! — come, what says Romeo? 
Nurse. Have you got leave to go to shrift to-day ? 
Juliet. I have. 

Nurse. Then hie you hence to Friar Laurence' cell ; 
There stays a husband to make you a wife. 
Now comes the wanton blood up in your cheeks, 
They'll be in scarlet straight at any news. 
Hie you to church ; I must another way. 
To fetch a ladder, by the which your love 
Must climb a bird's nest soon when it is dark ; 
I am the drudge, and toil in your delight. 
Go ; I'll to dinner : hie you to the cell. 
Juliet. Hie to high fortune !— Honest nurse, farewell. 

\Exeunt. 



64 EOMEO AND JULIET. 

Scene VI. Friar Laurence^s Cell. 
Enter Friar Laurence and Romeo. 

Friar Laurence. So smi]e the heavens upon this holy 
act 
That after hours with sorrow chide us not ! 

Romeo. Amen, amen ! but come what sorrow can, 
It cannot countervail the exchange of joy 
That one short minute gives me in her sight. 
Do thou hut close our hands with holy words, 
Then love-devouring death do what he dare, 
It is enough I may but call her mine. 

Friar Laurence. These violent delights have violent 
ends, 
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder. 
Which as they kiss consume • the sweetest honey 
Is loathsome in his own deliciousness. 
And in the taste confounds the appetite. 
Therefore love moderately ; long love doth so : 
Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow. 

Enter Juliet. 

Here comes the lady. 0, so light a foot 
Will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint ! 
A lover may bestride the gossamer 
That idles in the wanton summer air, 
And yet not fall ; so light is vanity. 



BOMEO AND JULIET. 65 

Juliet. Good even to my ghostly confessor. 

Friar Laurence. Komeo shall thank thee, daughter, 
for us both. 

Juliet. As much to him, else is his thanks too much, 

Romeo. Ah, Juliet, if the measure of thy joy 
Be heap'd like mine and that thy skill De more 
To blazon it, then sweeten with thy breath 
This neighbor air, and let rich music's tongue 
Unfold the imagin'd happiness that both 
Eeceive in either by this dear encounter. 

Juliet. Conceit, more rich in matter than in words, 
Brags of his substance, not of ornament. 
They are but beggars that can count their worth ; 
But my true love is grown to such excess 
I cannot sum up half my sum of wealth. 

Friar Laurence. Come, come with me, and we will make 
short work ; 
For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone 
Till holy church incorporate two in one. [_Exeimt. 



ACT III. 

Scene I. A Public Place. 

Enter Mekcutio, Benvolio, Page, and Servants. 

Benvolio. I pi-ay thee, good Merciitio, let's retire : 
The day is hot, the Capulets abroad, 
And if we meet we shall not scape a brawl ; 
For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring. 

Mercutio. Thou art like one of tliose fellows that when 
he enters the confines of a tavern claps me his sword 
upon the table, and says 'God send me no need of thee!' 
and by the operation of the second cup draws hiui on the 
drawer, when. ind^ed^there is no need. 

Benvolio. Am I like such a fellow ? 

Mercutio. Come, come, thou art as hot a Jack in thy 
mood as any in Italy, and as soon moved to be moody, 
and as soon moody to be moved. 

Benvolio. And what to ? 

Mercutio. Nay, an there were two such, we should 
have none shortly, for one would kill the other. Thou ! 
why, thou wilt quarrel with a num that hath a hair 
more, or a hair less, in his beard than thou hast. Thou 
wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, luiving no 
other reason but because thou hast hazel eyes ; what 

66 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 67 

eye but such an eye would spy out such a quarrel ? 
Thy head is as full of quarrels as au egg is full of meat, 
and yet thy head hath been beaten as addle as an egg 
for quarrelling. Thou hast quarrelled with a man for 
coughing in the street, because he hath wakened thy dog 
that hath lain asleep in the sun. Didst thou not fall out 
with a tailor for wearing his new doublet before Easter ? 
with another, for tying his new shoes with old riband ? 
and yet thou wilt tutor me from quarrelling ! 

Benvolio. An I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any 
man should buy the fee-simple of my life for an hour 
and a quarter. 

Mercutio. The fee-simple ! simj^le ! 

Benvolio. By my head, here come the Capulets. 

Mercutio. By my heel, I care not. 

Enter Tybalt and others. 

Tybalt. Follow me close, for I will speak to them. — 
Gentlemen, good den ; a word with one of you. 

Mercutio. And but one word with one of us ? couple 
it with something, make it a word and a blow. 

Tybalt. You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an 
you will give me occasion. 

Mercutio. Could you not take some occasion without 
giving ? 

Tybalt. Mercutio, thou consort'st with Romeo, — 

Mercutio. Consort ! what, dost thou make us minstrels ? 



68 ROMKO AND JULIET. 

an thou make minstrels of ns, look to hear nothing but 
discords : liere's my fiddlestick ; here's that shall make 
you dance. Zounds, consort ! 

Benvollo. We talk here in the public haunt of men. 
Either withdraw unto some private place, 
Or reason coldly of your grievances, 
Or else depart ; here all eyes gaze on ns. 

Mercutlo. Men's eyes were made to look, and let them 
gaze ; 
I will not budge for no man's pleasure, I. 

Entei' RoMKO. 

Tyhalt. Well, peace be with you, sir; here comes my 
man. 

Mercutlo. '\^\\t I'll be hang'd, sir, if he wear your livery. 
Marry, go before to field, he'll be your follower ; 
Your worship in that sense may call him man. 
■ Tybalt. Romeo, the hate I bear thee can afford 
No better term than this, — thou art a villain. 

Romeo. Tybalt, the reason that I hav^e to love thee 
Doth much excuse the appertaining rage 
To such a greeting. Villain am I none ; 
Therefore farewell : I see thou know'st me not. 

Ti/halt. Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries 
That thou hast done me ; therefore turn and draT.- 

Bomeo. I do protest, 1 never injur'd thee, 
l)ut love thee better than thou canst devise, 



ROMEO AND JULIET. gg 

Till thou shalt know the reason of my love ; 
And so, good Capulet, — which name I tender 
As dearly as my own, — be satisfied. 

Mercutio. 0, calm, dishonorable, vile submission ! 
A la stoccata carries it away. [Draws. 

Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you walk ? 

Tybalt. What wouldst thou have with me ? 

Mercutio. Good king of cats, nothing but one of your 
nine lives ; that I mean to make bold withal, and, as you 
shall use me hereafter, dry-beat the rest of the eight. 
Will you pluck your sword out of his pilcher by the ears ? 
make haste, lest mine be about your ears ere it be out. 

Tybalt. I am for you. [Drawin;/^ 

■ Romeo. Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up. 
Mercutio. Come, sir, your passado. \_Theyfght. 

Romeo. Draw, Benvolio; beat down their weapons. 

Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage ! 
Tybalt, Mercutio, the prince expressly hath 
Forbid this bandying in Verona streets. 
Hold, Tybalt ! good Mercutio ! 

\_Exeunt Tybalt and Ms ^artiso/as. 
Mercutio. I am hurt. 

A plague o' both your houses I I am sped. 
Is he gone, and hath nothing ? 
Benvolio. What, art thou hurt ? 

Mercutio. Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch ; ' marry, 'tis 
enough. — 



70 liOMEO AND JULIET. 

Where is my page ? Go, villain, fetch a surgeon. 

\_Exit Page. 

Borneo. Courage, man ; the hurt cannot be much. 

3L>rcutio. Ko, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as 
a church-door ; but 'tis enough, 'twill serve : ask for me 
to-morrow, and you shall find ine a grave man. I am 
peppered, I warrant, for this world. — A plague o' both 
your houses! — Zounds, a dog, a rat, a mouse, a cat, to 
scratch a man to death ! a braggart, a rogue, a villain, 
that fights by the book of arithmetic! — Why the devil 
came you between us ? I was hurt under your arm. 

Romeo. I thought all for the best. 

Mercutio. Help me into some house, Benvolio, 
Or I shall faint. — A plague o' both your houses ! 
They have made worms' meat of me. I have it, 
And soundly too ; your houses ! 

\_Exeunt Mercutio and Benvolio. 

Borneo. This gentleman, the prince's near ally, 
My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt 
In my behalf; my reputation stain'd 
With Tybalt's slander, — Tybalt, that an hour 
Hath been my cousin ! — sweet Juliet, 
Thy beauty hath made me effeminate, 
And in my temper soften'd valor's steel ! 

Be-enter Benvolio. 
Benvolio. Eomeo, Eomeo, brave Mercutio's dead ! 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 1\ 

That gallant spirit hath aspir'cl the clouds, 
Which too untimely here did scorn the earth. 

Borneo. This day's_ black fate on more days doth de- 
pend; 
This but begins the woe others must end. 

Benvolio. Here conies the furious Tybalt back again. 

Re-enter Tybalt. 

Romeo. Alive, in triumph ! and Mercutio slain ! 
Away to heaven, respective lenity. 
And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now ! — 
Now, Tybalt, take the villain back again 
That late thou gavest me ! for Mercutio's soul 
Is but a little way above our heads, 
Staying for thine to keep him company ; 
Either thou, or T, or both, must go with him. 

T^Jhalt. Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him 
here 
Shalt with him hence. 

Borneo. This shall determine that. 

[ Thetj fight ; Tybalt falls. 

Benvolio. Komeo, a^vay, be gone ! 
The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain. 
Stand not amaz'd; the prince will doom thee death, 
If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away ! 

Romeo. 0, I am fortune's fool ! 

Benvolio. Why dost thou stay ? 

[^Exit Romeo. 



72 liOMEO AND JULIET. 

Enter Citizens, etc. 

1 Citizen. Wliich way ran he that kill'd Mercutio ? 
Tybalt, that murderer, which way ran he ? 

Benvolio. There lies that Tybalt. 

1 Citizen. Up, sir, go with nie ; 

I charge thee in the prince's name, obey. 

Enter Prince, attended ; Moxtague, Capulet, their 
Wives, and others. 

Prince. Where are the vile beginners of this fray ? 

Benvolio. noble prince, I can discover all 
The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl. 
There lies the man, slain by young Romeo, 
That slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio. 

Lady Capulet. Tybalt, my cousin ! my brother's 
child! 
prince ! cousin ! husband ! 0, the blood is spilt 
Of my dear kinsman! — Prince, as thou art true, 
Por blood of ours shed blood of Montague. 
cousin, cousin ! 

Prince. Benvolio, who began this bloody fray ? 

Benvolio. Tybalt, here slain, whom Romeo's hand did 
slay ; 
Romeo that spoke him fair bade him bethink 
HoAv nice the quarrel was, and urg'd withal 
Your high displeasure : all this, uttered 
With gentle breath, calm look, knees humbly bow'd. 




/^ 



Photo by Byron 



BOMEO AND JULIET. 73 

Could not take truce with the unruly spleen 

Of Tybalt deaf to peace, but that he tilts 

With piercing steel at bold Mercutio's breast. 

Who, all as hot, turns deadly point to point, 

And, with a martial scorn, with one hand beats 

Cold death aside, and with the other sends 

It back to Tybalt, whose dexterity 

Retorts it. Romeo he cries aloud, 

' Hold, friends ! friends, part ! ' and swifter than his tongue, 

His agile arm beats down their fatal points. 

And 'twixt them rushes ; underneath whose arm 

An envious thrust from Tybalt hit the life 

Of stout Mercutio, and then Tybalt fled ; 

But by and by comes back to Romeo, 

Who had but newly entertain'd revenge, 

And to't they go like lightning, for, ere I 

Could draw to part them, was stout Tybalt slain. 

And, as he fell, did Romeo turn and fly. 

This is the truth, or let Benvolio die. 

Lady Capulet. He is a kinsman to the Montague ; 
Affection makes him false, he speaks not true : 
Some twenty of them fought in this black strife. 
And all those twenty could but kill one life. 
I beg for justice, which thou, prince, must give ; 
Romeo slew Tybalt, Romeo must not live. 

Prince. Romeo slew him, he slew Mercutio ; 
Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe ? 



74 EOMEO AND JULIET. 

Montague. Not Komeo, prince, he was Mercutio's 
friend ; 
His fault concludes but what the law should end, 
The life of Tybalt. 

Prince. And for that offence 

Immediately we do exile him hence. 
I have an interest in your hate's proceeding, 
My blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding ; 
But I'll amerce you with so strong a fine 
That you shall all repent the loss of mine. 
I will be deaf to pleading and excuses ; 
Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses : 
Therefore use none ; let Romeo hence in haste, 
Else, when he's found, that hour is his last. 
Bear hence this body and attend our will ; 
Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill. 



\_Exeunt. 



Scene II. Capulefs Orchard. 

Enter Juliet. 

Juliet. Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds, 
Towards Phoebus' lodging ; such a wagoner 
As Phaeton would whip you to the west, 
And bring in cloudy night immediately. — 
Spread thy close curtain, love- performing night. 
That runaways' eyes may wink, and Romeo 



BOMEO AND JULIET. 75 

Leap to these arms, untalk'd of and unseen — 

Lovers can see to do their amorous rites 

By their own beauties ; or, if love be blind, 

It best agrees with night. — Come, civil night, 

Thou sober-suited matron, all in black. 

And learn me how to lose a winning match, 

Play'd for a pair of stainless maidenhoods. 

Hood my unmann'd blood, bating in my cheeks, 

With thy black mantle, till strange love grown bold 

Think true love acted simple modesty. 

Come, night, come, Romeo, come, thou day in night ; 

For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night 

Whiter than new snow on a raven's back. 

Come, gentle night, come, loving, black-brow'd night. 

Give me my Eomeo ; and, when he shall die. 

Take him and cut him out in little stars. 

And he will make the face of heaven so fine 

That all the world will be in love with night 

And pay no worship to the garish sun. — 

0, I have bought the mansion of a love. 

But not possess'd it, and, though I am sold. 

Not yet enjoy'd. So tedious is this day 

As is the night before some festival 

To an impatient child that hath new robes 

And may not wear them. — 0, here comes my nurse. 

And she brings news ; and every tongue that speaks 

But Romeo's name speaks heavenly eloquence. — 



76 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Enter Nurse, with cords. 
Now, nurse,, what news ? What hast thou there ? the 

cords 
That Romeo bid thee fetch ? 

Xurse. Ay, ay, the cords. 

\_Throws them. down. 
Juliet. Ay me ! what news ? why dost thou wring tliy 

hands ? 
Jiurse. All, well-a-day ! he's dead, he's dead, he's 
dead ! 
We are undone, lady, we are undone ! 
Alack the day ! he's gone, he's kill'd, he's dead ! 
Juliet. Can heaven be so envious ? 
JS^urse. Romeo can. 

Though heaven cannot. — Romeo, Romeo ! — 
Who ever would have thought it ? — Romeo ! 

Juliet. What devil art thou, that dost torment me 
thus ? 
This torture should be roar'd in dismal hell. 
Hath Romeo slain himself ? say thou but ay, 
And that bare vowel / shall poison move 
Than the death-darting eye of cockatrice : 
I am not I, if there be such an /; 
Or those eyes shut, that make thee answer ay. 
If he be slain, say ay ; or if not, no : 
Brief sounds determine of my weal or woe. 

Xurse. I saw the wound, I saw it with mine eyes — 



EOMEO AND JULIET. 77 

God save the mark ! — here on his manly breast : 
A piteous corse, a bloody piteous corse ; 
Pale, pale as ashes, all bedaub'd in blood, 
All in gore-blood ; I swounded at the sight. 

Jicliet. 0, break, my heart ! poor bankrupt, break at 
once ! 
To prison, eyes, ne'er look on liberty ! 
Vile earth, to earth resign ; end motion here, 
And thou and Komeo press one heavy bier ! 

Mcrse. O Tybalt, Tybalt, the best friend I had ! 
courteous Tybalt ! honest gentleman ! 
That ever I should live to see thee dead ! 

Juliet. What storm is this that blows so contrary ? 
Is Eomeo slaughter'd, and is Tybalt dead ? 
My dear-lov'd cousin, and my dearer lord ? 
Then, dreadful trumpet, sound the general doom ! 
For who is living, if those two are gone ? 

Nurse. Tybalt is gone, and Romeo banished ; 
Romeo that kill'd him, he is banished. 

Juliet. God! did Romeo's hand shed Tybalt's blood? 

Nurse. It did, it did ; alas the day, it did ! 

Juliet. O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face ! 
Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave ? 
Beautiful tyrant ! fiend angelical ! 
Dove-feather'd raven ! wolfish-ravening lamb ! 
Despised substance of divinest show ! 
Just opposite to what thou justly seem'st, 



78 liOMEO AND JULIET. 

A damned saint, an honorable villain ! 
O nature, what hadst thou to do in hell, 
When thou didst bower the spirit of a liend 
In mortal paradise of such sweet flesh ? 
AVas ever book containing such vile matter 
80 fairly bound ? O, that deceit should dwell 
In such a gorgeous palace ! 

Nurse. There's no trust, 

No faith, no honesty in men ; all perjur'd, 
All forsworn, all naught, all dissemblers. — 
Ah, where's my man ? give me some aqua vitse. — 
These griefs, these woes, these sorrows, make me old. 
Shame come to Romeo ! 

Juliet. Blister'd be thy tongue 

For such a wish ! he was not born to shame : 
Upon his brow shame is asham'd to sit ; 
"For 'tis a throne where honor may be crown'd 
Sole monarch of the universal earth. 
O, what a beast was I to chide at him ! 

Nurse. Will you speak well of him that kill'd your 
cousin ? 

Juliet. Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband? — 
Ah, poor my lord, what tongue shall smooth thy name. 
When I, thy three-hours wife, have mangled it ? 
But, wherefore, villain, didst thoii kill my cousin ? 
That villain cousin would have kill'd my husband. 
Back, foolish tears, back to your native spring; 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 79 

Your tributary drops belong to Avoe, 

Which you mistaking offer up to joy. 

My husband lives, that Tybalt would have slain ; 

And Tybalt's dead, that would have slain my husband : 

All this is comfort ; wherefore weep I then ? 

Some word there was, worser than Tybalt's death, 

That murder'd me. I would forget it fain ; 

But, 0, it presses to my memory. 

Like damned guilty deeds to sinners' minds : 

* Tybalt is dead, and Romeo — banished ! ' 

That 'banished,' that one word 'banished,' 

Hath slain ten thousand Tybalts. Tybalt's death 

Was woe enough, if it had ended there ; 

Or, if sour woe delights in fellowship 

And needly will be rank'd with other griefs. 

Why follow'd not, when she said Tybalt's dead, 

Thy father, or thy mother, nay, or both. 

Which modern lamentation might have mov'd ? 

But with a rearward following Tybalt's death, 

Romeo is banished ! — to speak that word, 

Is father, mother, Tybalt, Romeo, Juliet, 

All slain, all dead. Romeo is banished ! 

There is no end, no limit, measure, bound. 

In that word's death ; no words can that woe sound. — 

Where is my father, and my mother, nurse ? 

Nurse. Weeping and wailing over Tybalt's corse. 
Will you go to them ? I will bring you thither. 



80 BOMEO AND JULIET. 

Juliet. Wash they his Avounds with tears ; mine shall 
be spent, 
"When theirs are dry, for Romeo's banishment. 
Take np those cords. — Poor ropes, you are beguil'd, 
l)0th you and I ; for Romeo is exil'd : 
He made yoii for a highway to my bed ; 
But I, a maid, die maiden-widowed. 

Nurse. Hie to your chamber ; I'll find Romeo 
To comfort you ; I wot well Avhere he is. 
Hark ye, your Romeo will be here at night : 
I'll to him ; he is hid at Laurence' cell. 

Juliet. 0, find him ! give this ring to my true knight. 
And bid him come to take his last farewell. [_£Jxeu7it. 

Scene III. Friar Laurence's Cell. 

Enter Friar Laurence. 

Friar Laurence. Romeo, come forth ; come forth, thou 
fea.rful man : 
Affliction is enamour'd of thy parts, 
And thou art wedded to calamity. 

Enter Romeo. 

Borneo. Father, what news ? what is the prince's doom ? 
AVhat sorrow craves acquaintance at my hand, 
That I yet know not ? 

Friar Laurence. Too familiar 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 3]^ 

Is my dear son with such sour company ; 
I bring thee tidings of the prince's doom. 
Romeo. What less than doomsday is the prince's doom ? 
Friar Laurence. A gentler judgment vanish'd from his 
lips, 
Not body's death, but body's banishment. 

Borneo. Ha, banishment ! be merciful, say death ; 
For exile hath more terror in his look, 
Much more than death : do not say banishment. 

Friar Laurence. Hence from Verona art thou ban- 
ished ; 
Be patient, for the world is broad and wide. 

Romeo. There is no world without Verona walls, 
But purgatory, torture, hell itself. 
Hence banished is banish'd from the world, 
And world's exile is death : then banished 
Is death misterm'd ; calling death banishment 
Thou cutt'st my head off with a golden axe, 
And smil'st upon the stroke that murders me. 

Friar Laitrence.-O deadly sin! rude unthankfulness ? 
Thy fault our law calls death ; but the kind prince, 
Taking thy part, hath rush'd aside the law. 
And turn'd that black word death to banishment : 
This is dear mercy, and thou seest it not. 

Romeo. 'Tis torture, and not mercy : heaven is here, 
Where Juliet lives ; and every cat and dog 
And little mouse, every unworthy thing, 



82 liOMEO AND JULIET. 

Live here in heaven and may look on her, 

But Romeo may not. More validity, 

]\Iore honorable state, more courtship lives 

In carrion-flies than Romeo : they may seize 

On the white wonder of dear Juliet's hand 

And steal immortal blessing from her lips, 

Who, even in pure and vestal modesty. 

Still blush, as thinking their own kisses sin ; 

But Romeo may not ; he is banished. 

This may flies do, when I from this must fly; 

They are free men, but I am banished. 

And say'st thou yet that, exile is not death ? 

Hadst thou no poison mix'd, no sharp-ground knife, 

No sudden mean of death, though ne'er so mean, 

But ' banished ' to kill me ? — Banished ! 

friar, the damned use that word in hell ; 

HoAvling attends it : how hast thou the heart, 

Being a divine, a ghostly confessor, 

A sin-absolver, and my friend profess'd, 

To mangle me with that word ' banished ' ? 

Friar Laurence. Thou fond mad man, hear me but speak 
a word. 

Borneo. 0, thou wilt speak again of banishment. 

Friar Laurence. I'll give thee armor to keep off that 
word ; 
Adversity's sweet milk, philosophy. 
To comfort thee, though thou art banished. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 83 

Borneo. Yet banished ? Hang up philosophy 
Unless philosophy can make a Juliet, 
Displant a town, reverse a prince's doom, 
It helps not, it prevails not ; talk no more. 

Friar Laurence. 0, then I see that madmen have nO' 

ears. 
Romeo. How should they, when that wise men have 

no eyes ? 
Friar Laurence. Let me dispute with thee of thy es- 
tate. 
Romeo. Thou canst not speak of that thou dost not 
feel. 
Wert thou as young as I, Juliet thy love, 
An hour but married, Tybalt murdered, 
Doting like me and like me banished. 
Then mightst thou speak, then mightst thou tear thy 

hair. 
And fall upon the ground, as I do now. 
Taking the measure of an unmade grave. 

[^Knocking vnthin. 
Friar Laurence. Arise ; one knocks : good Romeo, 

hide thyself. 
Romeo. Not I ; unless the breath of heart-sick groans 
Mist-like infold me from the search of eyes. 

\_Knocklnf/. 
Friar Laurence. Hark, how they knock ! — Who's 
there ? — Romeo, arise : 



84 BOMEO AND JULIET. 

Thoii wilt be taken. — Stay awhile ! — Stand np ; 

\^Knockin(/. 
Eun to my study. — By and by ! — God's will, 
What simpleness is this ! — I come, I come ! 

\^K7iocA-iu;/. 
Who knocks so hard ? whence come you ? what's your 
will ? 
Niirse. [ Withhi] Let me come in, and you shall know 
my errand ; 
I come from Lady Juliet. 

Friar Laurence. Welcome, then. 

Enter Nurse. 

ISfnrse. holy friar, 0, tell me, holy friar, 
Where is my lady's lord, where's Eomeo ? 

Friar Laurence. There on the ground, with his own 
tears made drunk. 

Nurse. 0, he is even in my mistress' case. 
Just in her case ! 

Friar Laurence. woful sympathy ! 
Piteous predicament ! 

Nurse. Even so lies she, 

Blubbering and weeping, weeping and blubbering. — 
Stand up, stand up ; stand, an you be a man : 
For Juliet's sake, for her sake, rise and stand. 
Why should you fall into so deep an ? 

Romeo. Nurse ! 



BOMEO AND JULIET. 85 

Nurse. Ah sir ! ah sir! Well, death's the end of all. 

Borneo. Spak'st thou of Juliet ? hoAV is it with her ? 
Doth she not think me an old murderer, 
Now I have stain'd the childhood of our joy 
With blood remov'd but little from her own ? 
Where is she ? and how doth she ? and what says 
My conceal'd lady to our cancell'd love ? 

Nui'se. 0, she says nothing, sir, but weeps and weeps ; 
And now falls on her bed ; and then starts up, 
And Tybalt calls ; and then on Eomeo cries, 
And then down falls again. 

Romeo. As if that name, 

Shot from the deadly level of a gun, 
Did murder her ; as that name's cursed hand 
Murdered her kinsman. — 0, tell me, friar, tell me. 
In what vile part of this anatomy 
Doth my name lodge ? tell me, that I may sack 
The hateful mansion. \_Draioin(j his sivord. 

Friar Laurence. Hold thy desperate hand ! 

Art thou a man ? thy form cries out thou art : 
Thy tears are womanish ; thy wild acts denote 
The unreasonable fury of a beast : 
Unseemly woman in a seeming man ! 
Or ill-beseeming beast in seeming both ! 
Thou hast amaz'd me ; by my holy order, 
I thought thy disposition better temper'd. 
Hast thou slain Tybalt ? wilt thou slay thyself ? 



86 



BOMEO AND JULIET. 



And slay thy lady too tliat lives in tliee, 

By doing damned hate npon thyself ? 

Why rail'st thou on thy birth, the heaven, and earth ? 

Since birth and heaven and earth, all three do meet 

In thee at once, which thou at once wouldst lose. 

Fie, fie, thou sham'st thy shape, thy love, thy wit, 

Which, like a usurer, abound'st in all, 

And usest none in that true use indeed 

Which should bedeck thy shape, thy love, thy wit. 

Thy noble shape is but a form of wax, 

Digressing from the valor of a man ; 

Thy dear love sworn, but hollow perjury. 

Killing that love which thou hast vow'd to cherish ; 

Thy wit, that ornament to shape and love. 

Misshapen in the conduct of them both. 

Like powder in a skilless soldier's flask, 

Is set a-fire by thine own ignorance. 

And thou dismember' d with thine own defence. 

What, rouse thee, man ! thy Juliet is alive, 

For whose dear sake thou wast but lately dead ; 

There art thou happy : Tybalt would kill thee, 

But thou slew'st Tybalt ; there art thou happy too : 

The law that threaten'd death becomes thy friend 

And turns it to exile ; there art thou happy : 

A pack of blessings lights upon thy back ; 

Happiness courts thee in her best array ; 

But like a misbehav'd and sullen wench. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 87 

Thou pout'st upon thy fortune and thy love. 
Take heed, take heed, for such die miserable. 
Go, get thee to thy love, as was decreed. 
Ascend her chamber, hence and comfort her : 
But look thou stay not till the watch be set, 
For then thou canst not pass to Mantua ; 
Where thou shalt live, till we can find a time 
To blaze your marriage, reconcile your friends, 
Beg pardon of the prince, and call thee back 
With twenty hundred thousand times more joy 
Than thou went'st forth in lamentation. — 
Go before, nurse ; commend me to thy lady, 
And bid her hasten all the house to bed, 
Which heavy sorrow makes them apt unto : 
Eomeo is coming. 

Nurse. Lord, I could have stay'd here all the night 
To hear good counsel ; O, what learning is ! — 
My lord, I'll tell my lady you will come. 

Romeo. Do so, and bid my sweet prepare to chide. 

Nurse. Here, sir, a ring she bid me give you, sir ; 
Hie you, make haste, for it grows very late. [_Exit. 

Romeo. How well my comfort is reviv'd by this ! 

Friar Laurence. Go hence ; good night ; and here 
stands all your state : 
Either be gone before the watch be set, 
Or by the break of day disguis'd from hence. 
Sojourn in Mantua ; I'll find out your man, 



88 BOMEO AND JULIET. 

And lie shall signify from time to time 

Every good hap to you that chances here. 

Give me thy hand ; 'tis late : farewell ; good night. 

Romeo. But that a joy past joy calls out on me, 
It were a grief, so brief to part with thee. 
Farewell. [Exeunt. 

Scene IV. A Room in Ca^ulet^s House. 

Enter Capulet, Lady Capulet, and Paris. 

- Capulet. Things have fallen out, sir, so unluckily, 
That we have had no time to move our daughter. 
Look you, she lov'd her kinsman Tybalt dearly, 
And so did I. — Well, we were born to die. — 
'Tis very late, she'll not come down to-night ; 
I promise you, but for your company, 
I would have been a-bed an hour ago. 

Paris. These times of woe afford no time to woo. 
Madam, good night ; commend nie to your daughter. 

Lady Capulet. I will, and know her mind early to- 
morrow ; 
To-night she's mew'd up to her heaviness. 

Capulet. Sir Paris, I will make a desperate tender 
Of my child's love : I think she will be rul'd 
In all respects by me ; nay, more, I doubt it not. — 
Wife, go you to her ere you go to bed ; 
Acquaint her here of my son Paris' love. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. go 

And bid her, mark you me, on Wednesday next — 
But, soft ! what day is this ? 

-^^"'^"*- Monday, my lord. 

Capidet Monday ! ha, ha ! Well, Wednesday is too 
soon; 

0' Thursday let it be : o' Thursday, tell her, 
She shall be married to this noble earl. 
Will you be ready ? do you like this haste ? 
We'll keep no great ado, — a friend or two; 
For, hark you, Tybalt being slain so late, 
It may be thought we held him carelessly, 
Being our kinsman, if we revel much : 
Therefore we'll have some half a dozen friends, 
And there an end. But what say you to Thursday ? 
Paris. My lord, I would that Thursday were to-morrow. 
Capulet. Well, get you gone ; o' Thursday be it then. 
Go you to Juliet ere you go to bed. 
Prepare her, wife, against this wedding-day. — 
Farewell, my lord. — Light to my chamber, ho ! 
Afore me, it is so very late, that we 
May call it early by and by. - Good night. \_Exeunt. 

Scene V. Juliet's Chamber. 
Enter Romeo and Juliet. 
Juliet. Wilt thou be gone ? it is not yet near day : 
It was the nightingale, and not the lark, 



90 BOMEO AND JULIET. 

That pierc'd tlie fearful hollow of thine ear ; 
Nightly she sings on yon pomegranate-tree. 
Believe me, love, it was the nightingale. 

Borneo. It was the lark, the herald of the morn, 
No nightingale ; look, love, what envious streaks 
Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east. 
Night's candies are burnt out, and jocund day 
Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops. 
I must be gone and live, or stay and die. 

Juliet. Yon light is not day-light, I know it, I ; 
It is some meteor that the sun exhales. 
To be to thee this night a torch-bearer. 
And light thee on thy way to Mantua : 
Therefore stay yet, thou need'st not to be gone. 

Borneo. Let me be ta'en, let me be put to death ; 
I am content, so thou wilt have it so. 
I'll say yon gray is not the morning's eye, 
'Tis but the pale reflex of Cynthia's brow ; 
Nor that is not the lark, whose notes do beat 
The vaiilty heaven so high above our heads. 
I have more care to stay than will to go ; 
Come, death, and welcome ! Juliet wills it so. 
How is't, my soul ? let's talk, it is not day. 

Juliet. It is, it is ; hie hence, be gone, away ! 
It is the lark that sings so out of tune. 
Straining harsh discords and unpleasing sharps. 
Some say the lark makes sweet division ; 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 9^ 

This doth not so, for she divideth us. 
Some say the lark and loathed toad change eyes ; 
0, now I Avould they had chang'd voices too ! 
Since arm from arm that voice doth us affray, 
Hunting thee hence with hunt's-np to the day. 
O, now be gone ; more light and light it grows. 

Borneo. More light and light ? — More dark and dark 
our woes ! 

Enter Nurse. 

Nurse. Madam ! 

Juliet. iSTurse ! 

Nurse. Your lady mother is coming to your chamber. 
The day is broke ; be wary, look about. lExit. 

Juliet. Then, window, let day in, and let life out. 

Rovieo. Farewell, farewell ! one kiss, and I'll descend. 

[^Rovieo descends. 

Juliet. Art thou gone so ? my lord, my love, my friend ! 
I must hear from thee every day in the hour, 
For in a minute there are many days ; 
O, by this count I shall be much in years 
Ere T again behold my Eomeo ! 

Romeo. Farewell ! I will omit no opportunity 
That may convey my greetings, love, to thee. 

Juliet. 0, think'st thou we shall ever meet again ? 

Romeo. I doubt it not; and all these woes shall serve 
For sweet discourses in our time to come. 



92 EOMEO AND JULIET. 

Juliet. God, I have an ill-divining soul ! 
]\rethinks I see thee, now thou art below, 
As one dead in the bottom of a tomb ; 
Either my eyesight fails, or thou look'st pale. 

Borneo. And trust me, love, in my eye so do you; 
Dry sorroAV drinks our blood. Adiei;, adieu ! \_Exlt. 

Juliet. fortune, fortune ! all men call thee tickle ; 
If thou art fickle, what dost thou Avith him. 
That is renown'd for faith ? Be fickle, fortune ; 
For then, I hope, thou wilt not keep him long, 
But send him back. 

Lady Capulet. \_Within'\ Ho, daughter! are you up ? 

Juliet. Who is't that calls ? is it my lady mother ? 
Is she not down so late, or up so early ? 
What unaccustom'd cause procures her hither ? 

Enter Lady Capulet. 

Lachj Capulet. Why, how now, Juliet ! 

Juliet. Madam, I am not well. 

Lady Capidet. Evermore weeping for your cousin's 
death? 
What, wilt thou wash him from his grave with tears ? 
An if thou couldst, thou couldst not make him live ; 
Therefore, have done : some grief shows much of love, 
But much of grief shows still some want of wit. 

Juliet. Yet let me weep for such a feeling loss. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 93 

Ladf/ Capulet. So shall you feel the loss, but not the 
friend 
Which you weep for. 

Juliet. Feeling so the loss, 

I cannot choose but ever weep the friend. 

Lady Capulet. Well, girl, thou weep'st not so much 
for his death 
As that the villain lives which slaughter'd him. 
Juliet. What villain, madam ? 

Lady Capulet. That same villain, Eomeo. 

Juliet. Villain and he be many miles asunder. — 
God pardon him ! I do, with all my heart ; 
And yet no man like he doth grieve my heart. 

Lady Capulet. That is, because the traitor murderer 

lives. 
Juliet. Ay, madam, from the reach of these my hands. 
Would none but I might venge my cousin's death ! 
Lady Capulet. We will have vengeance for it, fear 
thou not ; 
Then weep no more. I'll send to one in Mantua, 
Where that same banish'd runagate doth live, 
Shall give him such an unaccustom'd dram, 
That he shall soon keep Tybalt company ; 
And then, I hope, thou wilt be satisfied. 

Juliet. Indeed, I never shall be satisfied 
With Eomeo, till I behold him — dead — 
Is my poor heart so for a kinsman vex'd. — 



94 BOMEO AND JULIET. 

Madam, if you could find out but a man 
To bear a poison, I would temper it, 
That Romeo should, upon receipt thereof. 
Soon sleep in quiet. 0, how my heart abhors 
To hear him nam'd, and cannot come to him, 
To wreak the love I bore my cousin 
Upon his body that hath slaughter'd him ! 

Lacli/ Capulet. Find thou the means, and I'll find such 
a man. 
But now I'll tell thee joyful tidings, girl. 

Juliet. And joy comes well in such a needy time. 
What are they, I beseech your ladyship? 

Lady Capulet. Well, well, thou hast a careful father, 
child; 
One who, to put thee from thy heaviness, 
Hath sorted out a sudden day of joy, 
That thou expect'st not, nor I look'd not for. 

Jxdiet. Madam, in happy time, what day is that ? 

Lady Cajjulet. Marry, my child, early next Thursday 
morn. 
The gallant, young, and noble gentleman, 
The County Paris, at Saint Peter's Church, 
Shall happily make thee there a joyful bride. 

Juliet. Now, by Saint's Peter Church and Peter too, 
He shall not make me there a joyful bride. 
I Avonder at this haste ; that I must wed 
Ere he that should be husband comes to woo. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 95 

I pray you, tell my lord and father, madam, 
I will not marry yet ; and, when I do, I swear, 
It shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate. 
Rather than Paris. These are news indeed ! 

Lady Capulet. Here comes your father ; tell him so 
yourself, 
And see how he will take it at your hands. 

Enter Capulet and Nurse. 

Capulet. When the sun sets, the air doth drizzle dew ; 
But for the sunset of my brother's son 
It rains downright. — 

How now ! a conduit, girl ? what, still in tears ? 
Evermore showering ? In one little body 
Thou counterfeit'st a bark, a sea, a wind : 
For still thy eyes, which I may call the sea, 
Do ebb and flow with tears ; the bark thy body is, 
Sailing in this salt flood ; the winds, thy sighs ; 
Who, raging with thy tears, and they with them, 
Without a sudden calm, will overset 
Thy tempest-tossed body. — How now, wife ! 
Have you deliver'd to her our decree ? 

Lady Capulet. Ay, sir; but she will none, she gives 
you thanks. 
I would the fool were married to her grave ! 

Capulet. Soft ! take me with you, take me with you, 
wife. 



96 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

How ! will she none ? doth she not give us thanks ? 
Is she not proud ? doth she not count her blest, 
Unworthy as she is, that we have wrought 
So worthy a gentleman to be her bridegroom ? 

Juliet. Not proud you have, but thankful that you 
have : 
Proud can I never be of what I hate ; 
But thankful even for hate that is meant love. 

Caindet. How now, how now, chop-logic ! What is 
this ? 
' Proud ' and ' I thank you ' and ' I thank you not/ 
And yet ' not proud ' ! Mistress minion, you. 
Thank me no thankings, nor proud me no prouds, 
P)ut fettle your fine joints 'gainst Thursday next, 
To go with Paris to Saint Peter's Church, 
Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither. 
Out, you green-sickness carrion ! out, you baggage ! 
You tallow-face ! 

Lady Capidet. Fie, fie ! what, are you mad ? 

Juliet. Good father, I beseech you on my knees. 
Hear me with patience but to speak a word. 

Capulet. Hang thee, young baggage ! disobedient 
wretch ! 
I tell thee what : get thee to church o' Thursday, 
Or never after look me in the face. 
Speak not, reply not, do not answer me ; 
My lingers itch. — Wife, we scarce thought us blest 



BOMEO AND JULIET. 97 

That God liad lent us but this only child ; 
But now I see this one is one too much, 
And that we have a curse in having her : 
Out on her, hilding ! 

Nurse. God in heaven bless her ! 

You are to blame, my lord, to rate her so. 

Caimlet. And why, my lady wisdom? hold your 
tongue, 
Good prudence ; smatter with your gossips, go. 

Nurse. I speak no treason. 

Caimlet 0, God ye god-den. 

Nurse. May not one speak ? 

Capulet. Peace, you mumbling fool ! 

Utter your gravity o'er a gossip's bowl ; 
For here we need it not. 

Lady Capulet. You are too hot. 

Capulet. God's bread ! it makes me mad : day, night, 
late, early, 
At home, abroad, alone, in company. 
Waking or sleeping, still my care hath been 
To have her match'd ; and having now provided 
A gentleman of noble parentage. 
Of fair demesnes, youthful, and nobly train' d, 
Stuff' d, as they say, with honorable parts, 
Proportion'd as one's thought would wish a man, — 
And then to have a wretched puling fool, 
A whining; mammet, in her fortune's tender, 



98 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

To answer ' 111 not wed ; I cannot love, 

I am too yonng ; I pray you, pardon nie.' — 

But, an you will not wed, I'll pardon you ; 

Graze where you will, you shall not house with me : 

Look to't, think on't, I do not use to jest. 

Thursday is near ; lay hand on heart, advise. 

An you be mine, I'll give you to my friend ; 

An you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets, 

For, by my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee, 

Xor what is mine shall never do thee good. 

Trust to't, bethink you; I'll not be forsworn. lExlt. 

Juliet. Is there no pity sitting in the clouds, 
That sees into the bottom of ni}^ grief ? 
0, sweet my mother, cast me not away ! 
Delay this marriage for a month, a week; 
Or, if you do not, make the bridal bed 
In that dim monument where Tybalt lies. 

Lady Capulet. Talk not to me, fcr I'll not speak a 
word ; 
Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee. \_Exlt. 

Juliet. God! — nurse, how shall this be prevented? 
My husband is on earth, my faith in heaven ; 
How shall that faith return again to earth. 
Unless that husband send it me from heaven 
I\y leaving earth ? comfort me, counsel me. — 
Alack, alack, that heaven should practise stratagems 
Upon so soft a subject as myself! — 



•}V 4 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 99 

What say'st thou ? hast thou not a word of joy ? 
Some comfort, nurse. 

^''urse. Faith, here 'tis. Eomeo 

Is banished, and all the world to nothing, 
That he dares ne'er come back to challenge you ; 
Or, if he do, it needs must be by stealth. 
Then, since the case so stands as now it doth, 
I think it best you married with the county. 
0, he's a lovely gentleman ! 
Romeo's a dishclout to him ; an eagle, madam, 
Hath not so green, so quick, so fair an eye 
As Paris hath. Beshrew my very heart, 
I think you are happy in this second match, 
For it excels your first; or if it did not. 
Your first is dead, or 'twere as good he were, 
As living here and you no use of him. 

Juliet. Speakest thou from thy heart ? 

Nurse. And from my soul too ; 

Or else beshrew them both. 

Juliet. Amen ! 

Nurse. What ? 

Juliet. Well, thou hast comforted me marvellous much. 
Go in, and tell my lady I am gone, 
Having displeas'd my father, to Laurence' cell. 
To make confession and to be absolv'd. 

Nurse. Marry, I will; and this is wisely done. \_Exit. 

Juliet. Ancient damnation ! most wicked fiend ! 



LtfC 



100 BOMEO AND JULIET. 

Is it more sin to wish me thus forsworn, 

Or to dispraise my lord with that same tongue 

Which she hath prais'd him with above compare 

So many thousand times ? — G-o, counsellor ; 

Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain. — 

I'll to the friar, to know his remedy ; 

If all else fail, myself have power to die. \_Exit. 



ACT IV. 
Scene I. Friar Laurences Cell. 

Enter Friar Laurence and Paris. 

Friar Laurence. On Thursday, sir ? the time is very 

short. 
Far'is. My father Capulet will have it so ; 
And I am nothing slow to slack his haste. 

Friar Laurence. You say you do not know the lady's 
mind; 
Uneven is the course, I like it not. 

Paris. Immoderately she weeps for Tybalt's death, 
And therefore have I little talk'd of love ; 
For Venus smiles not in a house of tears. 
Now, sir, her father counts it dangerous 
That she doth give her sorrow so much sway, 
And in his wisdom hastes our marriage, 
To stop the inundation of her tears. 
Which, too much minded by herself alone, 
May be put from her by society. 
Now do you know the reason of this haste. 

Friar Laurence. [Aside'] I would I knew not why it 
should be slow'd. 
Look, sir, here comes the lady towards my cell. 

101 



102 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Enter Juliet. 

Paris. Happily met, my lady and m}^ wife ! 

Juliet. That may be, sir, when I may be a wife. 

Paris. That may be must be, love, on Thursday next. 

Juliet. What must be shall be. 

Friar Laurence. That's a certain text. 

Paris. Come you to make confession to this father ? 

Juliet. To answer that, I should confess to you. 

Paris. Do not deny to him that you love me. 

Juliet. I will confess to you that I love him. 

Paris. So will you, I am sure, that you love me. 

Jidiet. If I do so, it will be of more price. 
Being spoke behind your back, than to your face. 

Paris. Poor soul, thy face is much abus'd with tears. 

Juliet. The tears have got small victory by that ; 
For it was bad enough before their spite. 

Paris. Thou wrong'st it more than tears with tliat re- 
port. 

Juliet. That is no slander, sir, which is a truth ; 
And what I spake, I spake it to my face. 

Paris. Thy face is mine, and thou hast slander'd it. 

Juliet. It may be so, for it is not mine own. — 
Are you at leisure, holy father, now ; 
Or shall I come to you at evening mass ? 

Friar Laurence. My leisure serves me, pensive daugh- 
tei', now. — 
My lord, we mast entreat the time alone. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 103 

Paris. God shield I should disturb devotion ! — 
Juliet, on Thursday early will I rouse ye : 
Till then, adieu, and keep this holy kiss. [^Exit. 

Juliet. 0, shut the door ! and when thou hast done so, 
Come weep with me ; past hope, past cure, past help ! 

Friar Laurence. Ah, Juliet, I already know thy grief ; 
It strains me past the compass of my wits : 
I hear thou must, and nothing may prorogue it, 
On Thursday next be married to this county. 

Juliet. Tell me not, friar, that thou hear'st of this, 
Unless thou tell me how I may prevent it; 
If in thy wisdom thou canst give no help, 
Do thou but call my resolution wise. 
And with this knife I'll help it presently. 
God join'd my heart and Romeo's, thou our hands ; 
And ere this hand, by thee to Romeo seai'd, 
Shall be the label to another deed. 
Or my true heart with treacherous revolt 
Turn to another, this shall slay them botli : 
Therefore, out of thy long-experienc'd time, 
Give me some present counsel, or, behold, 
'Twixt my extremes and me this bloody knife 
Shall play the umpire, arbitrating that 
Which the commission of thy years and art 
Could to no issue of true honor bring. 
Be not so long to speak j I long to die, 
If what thou speak'st speak not of remedy. 



104 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Friar Laurence. Hold, daughter ! I do spy a kind of 
hope, 
Which craves as desperate an execution 
As that is desperate which we would prevent. 
If, rather than to marry County Paris, 
Thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself, 
Then is it likely thou wilt undertake 
A thing like death to chide away this shame. 
That cop'st with death himself to scape from it ; 
And if thou dar'st, I'll give thee remedy. 

Juliet. 0, bid me leap, rather than marry Paris, 
Erom off the hattlements of yonder tower ; 
Or walk in thievish ways ; or bid me lurk 
Where serpents are ; chain me with roaring bears ; 
Or shut me nightly in a charnel-house, 
O'ercover'd quite with dead men's rattling bones, 
With reeky shanks and yellow chapless skulls j 
Or bid me go into a new-made grave 
And hide me with a dead man in his shroud ; 
Things that, to hear them told, have made me tremble ; 
And I will do it without fear or doubt, 
To live an unstain'd wife to my sweet love. 

Friar Laurence. Hold, then ; go home, be merry, give 
consent 
To marry Paris. Wednesday is to-morrow : 
To-morrow night look that thou lie alone ; 
Let not thy nurse lie with thee in thy chamber. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 105 

Take thou this vial, being then in bed, 

And this distilled liquor drink thou off ; 

When presently through all thy veins shall run 

A cold and drowsy humor, for no pulse 

Shall keep his native progress, but surcease. 

No warmth, no breath, shall testify thou livest ; 

The roses in thy lips and cheeks shall fade 

To paly ashes, thy eyes' windows fall, 

Like death, when he shuts up the day of life ; 

Each part, depriv'd of supple government. 

Shall, stiff and stark and cold, appear like death : 

And in this borrow'd likeness of shrunk death 

Thou shalt continue two and forty hours. 

And then awake as from a pleasant sleep. 

Now, when the bridegroom in the morning comes 

To rouse thee from thy bed, there art thou dead : 

Then, as the manner of our country is. 

In thy best robes uncover'd on the bier 

Thou shalt be borne to that same ancient vault 

Where all the kindred of the Capulets lie. 

In the mean time, against thou shalt awake, 

Shall Eomeo by my letters know our drift. 

And hither shall he come ; and he and I 

Will watch thy waking, and that very night 

Shall Romeo bear thee hence to Mantua. 

And this shall free thee from this present shame, 

If no inconstant toy nor womanish fear 

Abate thy valor in the acting it. 



106 EOMEO AND JULIET. 

Juliet. Give me, give me ! O, tell not me of fear ! 
Friar Laurence. Hold; get you gone, be strong and 
prosperous 
In this resolve : I'll send a friar with speed 
To Mantua with my letters to thy lord. 

Juliet. Love give me strength ! and strength shall help 
afford. 
Farewell, dear father ! \_Exeant. 



Scene II. Hall in Capnlefs House. 

Enter Capulet, Lady CAruLEX, Nurse, and two Serving- 
men. 

Caj)uh't. So many guests invite as here are writ. — 

\^E.vit iSemait. 
Sirrah, go hire me twenty cunning cooks. 

2 Servant. You shall have none ill, sir, for I'll try if 
they can lick their lingers. 

Capxdet. How canst thou try them so ? 
, 2 Servant. Marry, sir, 'tis an ill cook that cannot lick 
his own fingers ; therefore he that cannot lick his lingers 
goes not Avith me. 

Capulet.. Go, be gone. — \_E.vH Servant. 

We shall be much unfurnish'd for this time. 
What, is my daughter gone to Friar Laurence ? 

Nurse. Ay, forsooth. 






i|f|i 1^ ;^^ (i " 

# I J i\ if l' H 1 




BOMEO ANB JULIET. IQT 

Cajmlet. Well, lie may chance to do some good on her ; 
A peevish self-willed harlotry it is. 

Nurse. See where she comes from shrift with merry 
look. 

Enter Juliet. 

Capulet. How now, my headstrong ! where have you 
been gadding ? 

Juliet. Where I have learned me to repent the sin 
Of disobedient opposition 
To you and your behests, and am enjoin'd 
By holy Laurence to fall prostrate here, 
And beg your pardon. Pardon, I beseech you ! 
Henceforward I am ever rul'd by you. 

Capulet. Send for the county ; go tell him of this. 
I'll have this knot knit up to-morrow morning. 

Juliet. I met the youthful lord at Laurence' cell ; 
And gave him what becomed love I might, 
Not stepping o'er the bounds of modesty. 

Captdet. Why, I am glad on'tj this is well, — stand 
up: 
This is as't should be. — Let me see the county ; 
Ay, marry, go, I say, and fetch him hither. — 
Now, afore God ! this reverend holy friar. 
All our whole city is much bound to him. 

Juliet. Nurse, will you go with me into my closet, 
To help me sort such needful ornaments 
As you think fit to furnish me to-morrow ? 



108 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Lady Cajndet. No, not till Thursday ; there is time 
enough. 

Capulet. Go, nurse, go with her; we'll to church to- 
morrow. 

\_Exeunt Juliet and Nurse. 

Lady Captdet. We shall be short in our provision ; 
'Tis now near night, 

Capulet. Tush, I will stir about. 

And all things shall be well, I warrant thee, wife. 
Go thou to Juliet, help to deck up her : 
I'll not to bed to-night ; let me alone ; 
I'll play the housewife for this once. — What, ho ! — 
They are all forth. Well, I will walk myself 
To County Paris, to prepare him up 
Against to-morrow. My heart is wondrous light, 
Since this same wayward girl is so reclaim'd. \_Exeunt. 



Scene III. Juliet's Chaviber. 

Enter Juliet and Nurse. 

Juliet. Ay, those attires are best : but, gentle nurse, 
I pray thee, leave me to myself to-night ; 
For I have need of many orisons 
To move the heavens to smile upon my state. 
Which, well thou know'st is cross, and full of sin. 




Phcitci by Byron 



BOMEO AND JULIET. 109 

Enter Lady Capulet. 

Lady Capulet. What, are you busy, ho ? need you my 

help ? 
Juliet. Ko, madam ; we have cull'd such necessaries 
As are behoveful for our state to-morrow : 
So jjlease you, let me now be left alone, 
And let the nurse this night sit up with you ; 
For, T am sure, you have your hands full all, 
In this so sudden business. 

Lady Capulet. Good night ; 

Get thee to bed and rest, for thou hast need. 

{Exeunt Lady Capulet and Nurse. 
Juliet. Farewell ! — God knows when we shall meet 
again. 
I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins, 
That almost freezes up the heat of life ; 
I'll call them back again to comfort me. — 
Nurse ! — What should she do here ? 
My dismal scene I needs must act alone. — 
Come, vial. — 

What if this mixture do not work at all ? 
Shall I be married then to-morrow morning ? 
No, no ! — this shall forbid it. — Lie thou there. 

\Laying doivn a dagger. 
What if it be a poison, which the friar 
Subtly hath minister'd to have me dead, 



110 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Lest in this mai-riage he should be dishouor'd, 

Because he married me before to Komeo ? 

I fear it is ; and yet, methinks, it should not, 

For he hath still been tried a holy man. 

How if, when I am laid into the tomb, 

I wake before the time that Romeo 

Come to redeem me ? there's a fearful point ! 

Shall I not then be stifled in the vault, 

To whose foul mouth no healthsome air breathes in 

And there die strangled ere my Komeo comes ? 

Or, if I live, is it not very like, 

The horrible conceit of death and night, 

Together with the terror of the place, — 

As in a vault, an ancient receptacle. 

Where for these many hundred years the bones 

Of all my buried ancestors are pack'd ; 

Wliere bloody Tybalt, yet but green in earth, 

Lies festering in his shroud ; where, as they say, 

At some hours in the night spirits resort ; — 

Alack, alack, is it not like that I, 

So early waking, what with loathsome smells. 

And shrieks like mandrakes' torn out of the earth, 

That living mortals hearing tliem run mad ; — 

0, if I wake, shall I not be distraught. 

Environed with all these hideous fears ? 

And madly play with my forefathers' joints ? 

And pluck the mangled Tybalt from his shroud ? 



ROMEO AND JULIET. \\\ 

And, in this rage, with some great kinsman's Ijone, 
As with a club, dash out my desperate brains ? — 
0, look, methinks I see my cousin's ghost 
Seeking out Romeo, that did spit his body 
Upon a rapier's point. — Stay, Tybalt, stay ! — 
Romeo, I come ! this do I drink to thee. 

\_Slie throws herself on the hed. 

Scene IV. Hall in Ca'pidet''s House. 

Enter Lady Capulet and Nurse. 

Lady Capulet. Hold, take these keys, and fetch more 

spices, nurse. 
Nurse-. They call for dates and quinces in the pastry. 

Enter Capulet. 

Capulet. Come, stir, stir, stir ! the second cock hath 
crow'd, 
The curfew-bell hath rung, 'tis three o'clock. — 
Look to the bak'd meats, good Angelica ; 
Spare not for cost. 

N'urse. Go, you cot-quean, go, 

Get you to bed ; faith, you'll be sick to-morrow 
For this night's watching. 

Capulet. No, not a whit. What ! I have watch'd ere 
now 
All night for lesser cause, and ne'er been sick. 



112 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Lady Capulet. Ay, you have been a mouse-hunt in 
your time ; 
But I will watch you from such watching now. 

\_Exeunt Lady Capulet and Niirse. 
Caindet. A jealous-hood, a jealous-hood ! — 

Enter three or four Servingmen, ivith spits, logs, and 
baskets. 

Now, fellow, 
What's there ? 

1 Servant. Things for the cook, sir ; but I know not 
what. 

Capulet. Make haste, make haste. — \_Exit Servant.'] 
Sirrah, fetch drier logs ; 
Call Peter, he will show thee where they are. 

2 Servant. I have a head, sir, that will find out logs. 
And never trouble Peter for the matter. \_Exit. 

Capulet. Mass, and well said ; a merry whoreson, ha ! 
Thou shalt be logger-head. — Good faith, 'tis day : 
The county will be here with music straight, 
Por so he said he would. I hear him near. — 

\Music within. 
Nurse ! — Wife ! — What, ho ! — What, nurse, I say ! 

Re-enter Nurse. 

Go waken Juliet, go and trim her up ; 

I'll go and chat with Paris. — Hie, make haste, 



BOMEO AND JULIET. 113 

Make haste ; the bridegroom he is come already : 
Make haste, I say. [Exeunt. 



Scene V. Jtdiefs Chamber. 

Enter Nurse. 

Nurse. Mistress ! what, mistress ! Juliet ! fast, I war- 
rant her, she. — 
Why, lamb ! why, lady ! fie, you slug-a-bed ! 
Why, love, I say ! madam ! sweet-heart ! why, bride ! 
What, not a word ? — How sound is she asleep ! 
I needs must wake her. — Madam, madam, madam ! 
Ay, let the county take you in your bed ; 
He'll fright you up, i' faith. —Will it not be ? 

[ Undraws the curtains. 
What, dress'd ! and in your clothes ! and down again ! 
I must needs wake you. Lady ! lady ! lady ! — 
Alas, alas ! — Help, help ! my lady's dead ! — 
0, well-a-day, that ever I was born ! — 
Some aqua vitae, ho ! — My lord ! my lady ! 

Enter Lady Capulet. 

Lady Capulet. What noise is here ? 

Nurse. lamentable day ! 

Lady Capidet. What is the matter ? 

Nurse. Look, look ! heavy day ! 



114 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Lady Capulet. me, me ! My child, my only life, 
Eevive, look up, or I will die with thee ! — 
Help, help ! Call help. 

Enter Capulet. 

Ccqndet. For shame, bring Juliet forth; her lord is 

come. 
Nurse. She's dead, deceas'd, she's dead ; alack the 

day ! 
Lady Capillet. Alack the day, she's dead, she's dead, 

she's dead ! 
Capulet. Ha ! let me see her. Out, alas ! she's cold ; 
Her blood is settled, and her joints are stiff; 
Life and these lips have long been separated. 
Death lies on her like an untimely frost 
Upon the sweetest flower of all the field. 
Nurse. lamentable day ! 
Lady Capulet. woful time ! 

Capulet. Death, that hath ta'en her hence to make me 
wail, 
Ties up my tongue and will not let me speak. 

Enter Friar Laurence a?zcZ Paris, ivith Musicians. 

Friar Laurence. Come, is the bride ready to go to 

church ? 
Capulet. Eeady to go, but never to return. 
son ! the night before thy wedding-day 



EOMEO AND JULIET. 115 

Hath Death lain with thy wife. See, there she lies, 
Flower as she was, deflower'd by him. 
Death is my son-in-law. Death is my heir ; 
My daughter he hath wedded. I will die, 
And leave him all; life, living, all is Death's. 

Paris. Have I thought long to see this morning's face,. 
And doth it give me such a sight as this ? 

Lady Cajjulet. Accurst, unhappy, wretched, hateful 
day! 
Most miserable hour that e'er time saw 
In lasting labor of his pilgrimage ! 
But one, poor one, one poor and loving child, 
But one thing to rejoice and solace in. 
And cruel death hath catch 'd it from my sight ! 

Nurse. woe ! woful, woful, woful day ! 
Most lamentable day, most woful day, 
That ever, ever, I did yet behold ! 
day ! day ! day ! hateful day ! 
Never was seen so black a day as this : 
woful day, woful day ! 

Paris. Beguil'd, divorced, wronged, spited, slain ! 
Most detestable death, by thee beguil'd. 
By cruel, cruel thee quite overthrown!- 
love ! life ! not life, but love in death ! 

Ca'pulet. Despis'd, distressed, hated, martyr'd, kill'd \ 
Uncomfortable time, why cam'st thou now 
To murder, murder our solemnity ? — 



IIQ liOMEO AND JULIET. 

clnld ! child ! my soul, and not my child ! 
Dead art thou ! Alack ! my child is dead ; 
And with my child my joys are buried. 

Friar Laurence. Peace, ho ! for shame ! confusion's cure 
lives not 
In these confusions. Heaven and yourself 
Had part in this fair maid ; now heaven liath all, 
And all the better is it for the maid : 
Your part in her you could not keep from death. 
But heaven keeps his part in eternal life. 
The most you sought was her promotion. 
For 'twas your heaven she should be advanc'd ; 
And weep ye now, seeing she is advanc'd 
Above the clouds, as high as heaven itself ? 
0, in this love, you love your child so ill. 
That 3^ou run mad, seeing that she is well ; 
She's not well married that lives married long, 
But she's best married that dies married young. 
Dry up your tears, and stick your rosemary 
On this fair corse, and, as the custom is. 
In all her best array bear her to church ; 
For though fond nature bids us all lament, 
Yet nature's tears are reason's merriment. 

Capulet. All things that we ordained festival, 
Turn from their office to black funeral : 
Our instruments to melancholy bells, 
Our wedding cheer to a sad burial feast, 



ROMEO AND JULIET. \\1 

Our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change, 
Our bridal flowers serve for a buried corse, 
And all things change them to the contrary. 

Friar Laurence. Sir, go you in, —and, madam, go with 
him ; — 
And go, Sir Paris ; — every one prepare 
To follow this fair corse unto her grave. 
The heavens do lower upon you for some ill ; 
Move them no more by crossing their high will. 

[Exeunt Capulet, Lady Capidet, Paris, and Friar. 

1 Musician. Faith, we may put up our pipes, and be 
gone. 

Nurse. Honest good fellows, ah, put up, put up ; 
Tor, well you know, this is a pitiful case. \_Exit. 

1 Musician. Ay, by my troth, the case may be amended. 

Enter Peter. 

Peter. Musicians, 0, musicians, 'Heart's ease. Heart's 
ease : ' 0, an you will have me live, play ' Heart's ease.' 

1 Musician. Why "^ Heart's ease ' ? 

Peter. 0, musicians, because my heart itself plays 'My 
heart is full of woe : ' 0, play me some merry dump, to 
comfort me. 

1 Musician. Not a dump we ; 'tis no time to play now. 

Peter. You will not, then ? 

1 Musician. No. 

Peter. I will then give it you soundly. 



118 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

1 Musician. What will you give us ? 

Peter. No money, on my faith, but the gleek ; I Avill 
give you the minstrel. 

1 llusician. Then will I give you the serving-creature. 

Peter. Then will I lay the serving-creature's dagger on 
your pate. I will carry no crotchets : I'll re you, I'll fa 
you ; do you note me ? 

1 Musician. An you re us and fa us, you note us. 

2 Musician. Pray you, put up your dagger, and put 
out your wit. 

Peter. Then have at you with my wit ! I will dry-beat 
you with an iron wit, and put up my iron dagger. 
Answer nie like men : 

' When griping grief the heart doth wound, 

•And doleful dumps the mind oppress, 
Then music with her silver sound' — 
why 'silver sound'? why 'music with her silver sound' ? 
— What say you, Simon Catling? 

1 Musician. Marry, sii', because silver hath a sweet 
sound. 

Peter. Pretty ! — What say you, Hugh Eebeck ? 

2 Musician. I say 'silver sound,' because musicians 
sound for silver. 

Peter. Pretty too ! — What say you, James Sound- 
post? 

3 Musician. Faith, I know not what to say. 

Peter. 0, I cry you mercy ; you are the singer : I will 



EOMEO AND JULIET. 119 

say for you. It is ' music with her silver sound,' because 
musicians have no gokl for sounding : 

' Then music with her silver sound 

With speedy help doth lend redress.' \_Exit. 

1 Musician. What a pestilent knave is this same ! 

2 Musician. Hang him, Jack ! — Come, we'll in here ; 
tarry for the mourners, and stay dinner. \_Exeunt. 



ACT V. 

Scene I. Mantua. A Street. 

Enter Romeo. 

Romeo. If I may trust the flattering trutli of sleep, 
My dreams presage some joyful news at hand. 
My bosom's lord sits lightly in his throne ; 
And all this day an unaccustoni'd spirit 
Lifts me above the ground with cheerful thoughts. 
I dreamt my lady came and found me dead — 
Strange dream that gives a dead man leave to think ! — 
And breath'd such life with kisses in my lips, 
That I reviv'd, and was an emperor. 
Ah me ! how sweet is love itself possess'd, 
When but love's shadows are so rich in joy ! 

Enter Balthasar. 

News from Verona ! — How now, Balthasar ! 
Dost thou not bring me letters from the friar ? 
How doth my lady ? Is my father well ? 
How fares my Juliet ? that I ask again ; 
For nothing can be ill, if she be well. 

Balthasar. Then she is well, and nothing can be ill ; 
Her body sleeps in Capel's monument, 

120 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 121 

And lier immortal part with angels lives. 
I saw her laid low in her kindred's vault, 
And presently took post to tell it you. 
0, pardon me for bringing these ill news, 
Since you did leave it for my office, sir. 

Romeo. Is it even so ? then I defy you, stars ! — 
Thou know'st my lodging : get me ink and paper. 
And hire post-horses ; I will hence to-night. 

Balthasar. I do beseech you, sir, have patience ; 
Your looks are pale and wild, and do import 
Some misadventure. 

Romeo. Tush, thou art deceiv'd ; 

Leave me, and do the thing I bid thee do. 
Hast thou no letters to me from the friar ? 

Balthasar. No, my good lord. 

Romeo. ISTo matter : get thee gone, 

And hire those horses ; I'll be with thee straight. — 

[_Exit Balthasar. 
Well, Juliet, I will lie with thee to-night. 
Let's see for means. — mischief, thou art swift 
To enter in the thoughts of desperate men ! 
I do remember an apothecary, — 
And hereabouts he dwells, — which late I noted 
In tatter'd weeds, with overwhelming brows. 
Culling of simples ; meagre were his looks. 
Sharp misery had worn him to the bones : 
And in his needy shop a tortoise hung. 



122 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

An alligator stuff'd, and other skins 

Of ill-shap'd fishes ; and about his shelves 

A beggarly account of empty boxes, 

Green earthen pots, bladders, and musty seeds, 

Remnants of packthread and old cakes of roses, 

Were thinly scatter'd, to make up a show. 

Noting this penury, to myself I said. 

An if a man did need a poison now, 

Whose sale is present death in Mantua, 

Here lives a caitiff wretch would sell it him. 

0, this same thought did but forerun my need, 

And this same needy man must sell it me ! 

As I remember, this should be the house. 

Being holiday, the beggar's shop is shut. — 

What, ho ! apothecary ! 

Ent67' Apothecary. 

Apothecary. Who calls so loud ? 

Romeo. Come hither, man. I see that thou art poor : 
Hold, there is forty ducats ; let me have 
A dram of poison, such soon-speeding gear 
As will disperse itself through all the veins 
That the life-weary taker may fall dead. 
And that the trunk may be discharg'd of breath 
As violently as hasty powder fir'd 
Doth hurry from the fatal cannon's womb. 



BOMEO AND JULIET. 123 

A]jothecary. Sucli mortal drugs I have ; but Mantua's 
law 
Is deatli to any he that utters them. 

Romeo. Art thou so bare and full of wretchedness, 
And fear'st to die ? famine is in thy cheeks, 
Need and oppression starveth in thine eyes, 
Contempt and beggary hangs upon thy back, 
The world is not thy friend, nor the world's law : 
The world affords no law to make thee rich ; 
Then be not poor, but break it, and take this. 

Apothecary. My poverty, but not my will, consents. . 

Romeo. I pay thy poverty, and not thy will. 

Apothecary. Put this in any liquid thing you will. 
And drink it off ; and, if you had the strength 
Of twenty men, it would dispatch you straight. 

Romeo. There is thy gold, worse poison to men's souls, 
Doing more murders in this loathsome world, 
Than these poor compounds that thou mayst not sell. 
I sell thee poison, thou hast sold me none. 
Farewell ; buy food, and get thyself in flesh. — 
Come, cordial and not poison, go with me 
To Juliet's grave J for there must I use thee. \Exeunt. 



124 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Scene II. Friar Laurence's Cell. 
Enter Fkiar John. 
Friar John. Holy Franciscan friar ! brother, ho ! 

Enter Friar Laurence. 

Friar Laurence. This same should be the voice of Friar 
John. — 
Welcome from Mantua ; what says Romeo ? 
Or, if his mind be writ, give me his letter. 

Friar John. Going to find a barefoot brother out, 
One of our order, to associate me. 
Here in this city visiting the sick, 
And finding him, the searchers of the town, 
Suspecting that we both were in a house 
Where the infectious pestilence did reign, 
Seal'd up the doors, and would not let us forth ; 
So that my speed to Mantua there was stay'd. 

Friar Laurence. Who bare my letter, then, to Romeo ? 

Friar John. I could not send it, — here it is again, — 
ISTor get a messenger to bring it thee. 
So fearful were they of infection. 

Friar Laurence. Unhappy fortune! by my brother- 
hood. 
The letter was not nice, but full of charge 
Of dear import, and the neglecting it 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 125 

May do much danger. Friar John, go hence ; 
Get me an iron crow, and bring it straight 
Unto my cell. 

Friar John. Brother, I'll go and bring it thee. \_Exit. 

Friar Laurence. Xow must I to the monument alone ; 
Within this three hours will fair Juliet wake. 
She will beshrew me much that Eomeo 
Hath had no notice of these accidents ; 
But I will write again to Mantua, 
And keep her at my cell till Romeo come : 
Poor living corse, clos'd in a dead man's tomb ! [.Exit. 



Scene III. A Churchyard ; in it a Tomb belonging to 
the Cajjulets. 

Enter Paris, and his Page, bearing flowers and a torch. 

Paris. Give me thy torch, boy; hence, and stand 
aloof : 
Yet put it out, for I would not be seen. 
Under yond yew-trees lay thee all along. 
Holding thine ear close to the hollow ground ; 
So shall no foot upon the churchyard tread. 
Being loose, unfirm, with digging up of graves, 
But thou shalt hear it : whistle then to me. 
As signal that thou hear'st something approach. 
Give me those flowers. Do as I bid thee, go. 



126 liOMEO AND JULIET. 

Page. [_As'ide] I am almost afraid to stand alone 
Here in the churchyard ; yet I will adventure. \_Ref.ires. 

Paris. Sweet flower, Avith flowers thy bridal bed I 
strew. 

woe ! thy canopy is dust and stones, 
Which with sweet water nightly I will dew. 

Or, wanting that, with tears distill'd by moans ; 
The obsequies that I for thee will keep 
Nightly shall. be to strew thy grave and weep. 

\_The Page whistles. 
The boy gives warning something doth approach. 
What cursed foot wanders this way to-night. 
To cross my obsequies and true love's rite ? 
What, with a torch ! — Muffle me, night, awhile. 

\_Ii.etires. 

Enter' Eomeo and Balthasar, ivith a torch, mattock, etc. 

Romeo. Give me that mattock and the wrenching iron. 
Hold, take this letter ; early in the morning 
See thou deliver it to my lord and father. 
Give me the light. Upon thy life, I charge thee, 
Whate'er thou hear'st of seest, stand all aloof, 
And do not interrupt me in my course. 
Why I descend into this bed of death 
Is partly to behold my lady's face, 
But chiefly to take thence from her dead finger 
A precious ring, a ring that I must use 



EOMEO AND JULIET. 127 

In dear employment. Therefore hence, be gone ; 
But if thou, jealous, dost return to pry- 
In what I further shall intend to do, 
By heaven, I will tear thee joint by joint 
And strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs. 
The time and my intents are savage-wild. 
More fierce and more inexorable far 
Than empty tigers or the roaring sea. 

Balthasar. I will be gone, sir, and not trouble you. 

Borneo. So shalt thou show me friendship. Take thou 
that : 
Live, and be prosperous ; and farewell, good fellow. 

Balthasar. \^Aside\ For all this same, I'll hide me 
hereabout ; 
His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt. [Eetires. 

Borneo. Thou detestable maw, tliou womb of death, 
Gorg'd with the dearest morsel of the earth, 
Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to oj)en. 
And, in despite, I'll cram thee with more food ! 

l^Opens the tovih. 

Paris. This is that banish'd haughty Montague, 
That murder'd my love's cousin, — with which grief, 
It is supposed, the fair creature died, — 
And here is come to do some villanous shame 
To the dead bodies ; I will apprehfend him. — \_Aclvances. 
Stop thy unhallow'd toil, vile Montague ! 
Can vengeance be pursued further than death ? 



128 BOMEO AND JULIET. 

Condemned villain, I do apprehend tliee : 
Obe}', and go with me ; for thou must die. 

Borneo. I must indeed, and therefore came I hither. 
Good gentle youth, tempt not a desperate man ; 
Fly hence, and leave me : think upon these gone ; 
Let them affright thee. I beseech thee, youth, 
Put not another sin upon my head, 
By urging me to fury ; 0, be gone ! 
By heaven I love thee better than myself ; 
For I come hither arm'd against myself. 
Stay not, be gone ; live, and hereafter say, 
A madman's mercy bade thee run away. 

Paris. I do defy thy conjurations, 
And apprehend thee for a felon here. 

Romeo. Wilt thou provoke me'? then have at thee, boy ! 

\_They fight. 

Page. 0, Lord, they fight ! I will go call the watch. 

\_Exit. 

Paris. 0, I am slain ! — \_Falls'] If thou be merciful, 
Open the tomb, lay me with Juliet. \_Dies. 

Romeo. In faith, I will. — Let me peruse this face. 
Mercutio's kinsman, noble County Paris ! 
What said my man, when my betossed soul 
Did not attend him as we rode ? I think 
He told me Paris should have married Juliet ; 
Said he not so ? or did I dream it so ? 
Or am I mad, hearing him talk of Juliet, 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 129 

To think it was so ? — 0, give me tliy hand, 
One writ with me in sour misfortune's book ! 
I'll bury thee in a triumphant grave, — 
A grave ? 0, no ! a lantern, slaughter'd youth ; 
For here lies Juliet, and her beauty makes 
This vault a feasting presence full of light. 
Death, lie thou there, by a dead man interr'd. — 

\_Laying Paris in the tomb. 
How oft when men are at the point of death 
Have they been merry ! which their keepers call 
A lightning before death ; 0, how may I 
Call this a lightning ? — my love ! my wife ! 
Death, that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath, 
Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty : 
Thou art not conquer'd ; beauty's ensign yet 
Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks. 
And death's pale flag is not advanced there. — 
Tybalt, liest thou there in thy bloody sheet ? 
O, what more favor can I do to thee 
Than with that hand that cut thy youth in twain 
To sunder his that was thine enemy ? 
Forgive me, cousin ! — Ah, dear Juliet, 
Why art thou yet so fair ? shall I believe 
That unsubstantial Death is amorous. 
And that the lean abhorred monster keeps 
Thee here in dark to be his paramour ? 
For fear of that, I still will stay with thee ; 



130 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

And never from this palace of dim night 

Depart again : here, here will I remain 

With wonms that are thy chamber-maids ; 0, here 

AVill I set np my everlasting rest, 

And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars 

From this world-wearied flesh. — Eyes, look your last ! 

Arms, take your last embrace ! and, lips, you 

The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss 

A dateless bargain to engrossing death ! 

Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavory guide ! 

Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on 

The dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark ! 

Here's to my love ! [Drinks'] — true apothecary ! 

Thy drugs are quick. — Thus with a kiss I die. [Dies. 

Enter, at the other end of the churchyard, Friar Lau- 
rence, ivith a lantern, crow, and spade. 

Friar Laurence. Saint Francis be my speed ! how oft 
to-night 
Have my old feet stumbled at graves ! — Who's there ? 
Balthasar. Here's one, a friend, and one that knows 

you well. 
Friar Laurence. Bliss be upon you ! Tell me, good 
my friend. 
What torch is yond, that vainly lends his light 
To grubs and eyeless skulls ? as I discern. 
It burneth in the Capels' monument. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 131 

Balthasar. It doth so, holy sir ; and there's my master. 
One that you love. 

Friar Laurence. Who is it ? 

Balthasar. Romeo. 

Friar Laurence. How long hath he been there ? 

Balthasar. Full half an hour. 

Friar Laurence. Go with me to the vault. 

Balthasar. I dare not, sir : 

My master knows not but I am gone hence ; 
And fearfully did menace me with death. 
If I did stay to look on his intents. 

Friar Laurence. Stay, then ; I'll go alone. — Fear comes 
upon me ; 

0, much I fear some ill unlucky thing ! 

Balthasar. As I did sleep under this yew-tree here, 
I dreamt my master and another fought. 
And that my master slew him. 

Friar Laurence. Romeo ! \_Advances. 

Alack, alack, what blood is this, which stains 
The stony entrance of this sepulchre ? — 
What mean these masterless and gory swords 
To lie discolor'd by this place of peace ? 

\Finters the tomb. 
Romeo ! 0, pale ! — Who else ? what, Paris too ? 
And steep'd in blood ? — Ah, what an unkind hour 
Is guilty of this' lamentable chance ! — 
The lady stirs. [Juliet wakes. 



132 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Juliet. comfortable friar ! where is my lord ? — 
I do remember well wliere I should be, 
And there I am. — Where is my Eomeo ? \_Noise tvithin. 

Friar Laurence. I hear some noise. — Lady, come from 
that nest 
Of death, contagion, and unnatural sleep ; . 
A greater power than we can contradict 
Hath thwarted our intents. Come, come away. 
Thy husband in thy bosom there lies dead ; 
And Paris too. Come, I'll dispose of thee 
Among a sisterhood of holy nuns : 
Stay not to question, for the watch is coming ; 
Come, go, good Juliet. [_Noise agaiii] — I dare no longer 
stay. 

Juliet. Go, get thee hence, for I will not away. 

\_Exit Friar Laurence. 
What's here ? a cup, clos'd in my true love's hand ?. 
Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end. — 
churl ! drunk all, and left no friendly drop 
To help me after ? — I will kiss thy lips ; 
Haply some poison yet doth hang on them. 
To make me die with a restorative. \_Kisses him. 

Thy lips are warm. 

1 Watch. [ Withhi] Lead, boy ; which way ? 

Juliet. Yea, noise ? then I'll be brief. — happy 

dagger ! \_8natching Borneo^ s dagger. 

This is thy sheath \_Stahs he7-self'] ; there rest, and let me 

die. [^Falls on Romeo's body, and dies. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. X33 

Enter Watch, ivlth the Page of Paris. 

Page. This is the place ; there, where the torch doth 
burn. 

1 Watch. The ground is bloody; search about the 
churchyard. 
Go, some of you, whoe'er you find attach. — 
Pitiful sight ! here lies the county slain ; 
And Juliet bleeding, warm, and newly dead, 
Who here hath lain these two days buried. — - 
Go, tell the prince ; — run to the Capulets ; — 

Kaise up the Montagues ; — some others search. 

We see the ground whereon these woes do lie ; 
But the true ground of all these piteous woes 
We cannot without circumstance descry. 

Be-enter some of the Watch, with Balthasar. 

2 Watch. Here's Eomeo's man ; we found him in the 
churchyard. 

1 Watch. Hold him in safety, till the prince come 
hither. 

Re-enter others of the Watch, with Friar Laurence. 

3 Watch. Here is a friar, that trembles, sighs, and 
weeps ; 

We took this mattock and this spade from him, 
As he was coming from this churchyard side. 
1 Watch. A great suspicion ; stay the friar too. 



134 BOMEO AND JULIET. 

Enter the Pkince and Attendants. . 

Prince. What misadventure is so early up, 
That calls our person from our morning's rest ? 

Enter Capulet, Lady Capulet, and others. 

Capulet. What shovild it be, that they so shriek abroad ? 

Lady Capulet. The people in the street cry E-omeo, 
Some Juliet, and some Paris, and all run 
With open outcry toward our monument. 

Prince. What fear is this which startles in our ears ? 

1 Watch. Sovereign, here lies the County Paris slain ; 
And Eomeo dead ; and Juliet, dead before, 
Warm and new kill'd. 

Prince. Search, seek, and know how this foul murder 
comes. 

1 Watch. Here is a friar, and slaughter'd Eomeo's 
man, 
With instruments upon them fit to open 
These dead men's tombs. 

Capulet. heaven ! — wife, look how our daughter 
bleeds ! 
This dagger hath mista'en, — for, lo, his house 
Is empty on the back of Montague, — 
And is mis-sheathed in my daughter's bosom. 

Lady Capulet. me ! this sight of death is as a bell, 
That warns my old age to a sepulchre. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. I35 

Unter Montague and others. 

Prince. Come, Montague ; for thou art early up, 
-To see thy son and heir more early down. 

Montague. Alas, my liege, my wife is dead to-night ; 
Grief of my son's exile hath stopp'd her breath. 
What further woe conspires against mine age ? 

Prince. Look, and thou shalt see. 

Mo7itague. thou untaught ! what manners is in this, 
To press before thy father to a grave ? 

Prince. Seal up the mouth of outrage for a while. 
Till we can clear these ambiguities. 
And know their spring, their head, their true descent ; 
And then will I be general of your woes, 
And lead you even to death : meantime forbear. 
And let mischance be slave to patience.' — 
Bring forth the parties of suspicion. , 

Friar Laurence. I am the greatest, able to do least, 
Yet most suspected, as the time and place 
Doth make against me, of this direful murder ; 
And here I stand, both to impeach and purge 
Myself condemned and myself excus'd. 

Prince. Then say at once what thou dost know in this. 

Friar Laurence. I will be brief, for my short date of 
breath 
Is not so long as is a tedious tale. 
Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet; 
And she, there dead, that Eomeo's faithful wife. 



136 BOMEO AND JULIET. 

I married them ; and their stolen marriage-day 

Was Tybalt's doomsday, whose untimely death 

Banish'd the new-made bridegroom from this city, 

For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pin'd. 

You, to remove that siege of grief from her, 

Betroth'd and would have married her perforce 

To County Paris ; then comes she to me. 

And with wild looks bid me devise some means 

To rid her from this second marriage. 

Or in my cell there would she kill herself. 

Then gave I her, so tutor'd by my art, 

A sleeping potion ; which so took effect 

As I intended, for it wrought on her 

The form of death : meantime I writ to Eomeo, 

That he should hither come as this dire night, 

To help to take her from her borrow'd grave, 

Being the time the potion's force should cease. 

But he which bore my letter, Friar John, 

Was stay'd by accident, and yesternight 

Return'd my letter back. Then all alone. 

At the prefixed hour of her waking. 

Came I to take her from her kindred's vault, 

Meaning to keep her closely at my cell 

Till I conveniently could send to Romeo ; 

But when I came, some minute ere the time 

Of her awaking, here untimely lay 

The noble Paris and true Romeo dead. 



ROMEO AND JULIET. 137 

She wakes, and I entreated her come forth, 
And bear this work of heaven with patience ; 
But then a noise did scare me from the tomb. 
And she too desperate would not go with me, 
But, as it seems, did violence on herself. 
All this I know ; and to the marriage 
Her nurse is privy : and, if aught in this 
Miscarried by my fault, let my old life 
Be sacrific'd some hour before his time 
Unto the rigor of severest law. 

Prince. We still have known thee for a holy man. — 
Where's Romeo's man ? what can he say in this ? 

Balthasar. I brought my master news of Juliet's 
death, 
And then in post he came from Mantua 
To this same place, to this same monument. 
This letter he early bid me give his father, 
And threaten'd me with death, going in the vault, 
If I departed not and left him there. 

Prince. Give me the letter ; I will look on it. — 
Where is the county's page that rais'd the watch ? — 
Sirrah, what made your master in this place ? 

Page. He came with flowers to strew his lady's grave ; 
And bid me stand aloof, and so I did. 
Anon comes one with light to ope the tomb, 
And by and by my master drew on him ; 
And then I ran away to call the watch. 



138 ROMEO AND JULIET. 

Prince. This letter doth make good the friar's words 
Their course of love, the tidings of her death ; 
And here he writes that he did buy a poison 
Of a poor apothecary, and therewithal 
Came to this vault to die and lie with Juliet. — 
Where be these enemies ? — Capulet ! — Montague ! 
See, what a scourge is laid upon your hate, 
That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love ! 
And I, for winking at your discords too. 
Have lost a brace of kinsmen ; all are punish'd. 

Capulet. brother Montague, give me thy hand ; 
This is my daughter's jointure, for no more 
Can I demand. 

Montague. But I can give thee more ; 
For I will raise her statue in pure gold. 
That while Verona by that name is known 
There shall no figure at such rate be set 
As that of true and faithful Juliet. 

Capulet. As rich shall Eomeo by his lady lie ; 
Poor sacrifices of our enmity ! 

Prince. A glooming peace this morning with it brings ; 

The sun for sorrow will not show his head. 
Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things ; 

Some shall be pardon'd, and some punished : 
For never was a story of more woe 
Than this of Juliet and her Komeo. \_Exeunt. 



-BAp'05 



